Missing Indian Student Kidnapped for Ransom Found Dead in US

A 25-year-old student from Hyderabad, Abdul Arfath, who was doing a Master’s at Cleveland State University  was found dead in Ohio, informed the Indian consulate in New York.

Arfath was missing for nearly three weeks. He had reached the US in 2023 for higher studies.

“Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath’s family,” the consulate said in a post on X.

“@IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr Mohammed Abdul Arfath’s death. We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” the post added.

Arfath’s father Mohammed Saleem last spoke to his son on March 7. On March 19, Saleem received a call from an unidentified person, who said Arfath had been kidnapped by a gang selling drugs and demanded $1,200 for his release.

Around eight Indian and Indian-origin students have died in the US this year. According to the US, over 2.6 lakh Indian students migrated to the country in the 2022-2023 session. This was a 35 per cent jump from the previous session.