India’s Ministry of External Affairs said it is extending all possible support to the family of an Indian student who was fatally shot near his university campus in Canada. Addressing a weekly media briefing on Friday, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said Indian officials are in contact with local authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the killing and to assist the victim’s family.
The incident occurred earlier this week near the University of Toronto Scarboroughwhere a 20 year old Indian national was found with a gunshot wound. Canadian police said the victim, identified as Shivank Avasthi, was discovered Tuesday afternoon and later died from his injuries. Authorities have launched a manhunt and appealed to the public for information, noting that the suspect or suspects fled before officers arrived.
Jaiswal conveyed condolences on behalf of the Indian government and said the Indian consulate is providing consular assistance to the family. He added that officials are working closely with Canadian authorities to gather further details as the investigation continues. The killing has been recorded as Toronto’s 41st homicide of the year, according to police.
During the same briefing, the MEA was also asked about a separate case involving the death of an Indian origin man in an Edmonton hospital. Jaiswal said the individual was a Canadian national and that responsibility in that matter rests with Canadian authorities.
The Edmonton case involves a 44 year old man who died after waiting for treatment in an emergency room, according to reporting by Global News. His family has raised concerns about delays in care after he sought medical help for severe chest pain. Canadian health officials are reviewing the circumstances of that death separately as authorities in Toronto continue to investigate the fatal shooting near the university campus.
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