Indian-origin executive dies after assault outside restaurant in Washington

Washington: In a disturbing incident, a 41-year-old Indian-origin executive died after he was assaulted outside a restaurant in downtown Washington a few days ago, according to investigators. This is the sixth death incident of an Indian-origin individual that has led to worries about a spree of targeted incidents.

The victim, identified as Vivek Taneja, was found on the pavement of 15th Street Northwest outside Shoto Restaurant around 2 am on February 2. He had been involved in a verbal argument that turned physical with an unknown man, as reported by local authorities. During the altercation, Taneja was knocked to the ground and hit his head on the pavement.

Despite medical efforts, Taneja succumbed to his injuries on Wednesday. The Washington police have launched a homicide investigation into his death and are actively searching for the attacker, who was captured on surveillance camera. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has appealed to the public for any information that could help identify and locate the suspect.

According to MPD documents, officers responded to the location after receiving a report of an assault. They found Taneja suffering from life-threatening injuries. The department is offering a reward for anyone who can provide information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved.

This tragic incident follows the recent attack on Hyderabad student Syed Mazahir Ali, which was caught on video and circulated on social media. Ali sought assistance from the Indian government following the assault.

Deaths of Indian-origin students in the US

Indian students studying in the US have been making headlines due to the unfortunate deaths they have faced. In 2024 alone, at least five students were killed, including two Indians and three US nationals of Indian origin. Earlier this week, a 23-year-old man was found dead at Indiana’s Purdue University. The student, identified as Sameer Kamath, was initially suspected to be a victim of foul play, but the administration later claimed it was a suicide.

In another tragic incident, Vivek Saini, an Indian student from Haryana, was brutally attacked and killed by a homeless drug addict in Lithonia city, Georgia. Saini had shown kindness to the accused for two days, providing him with food, water, and even a jacket. Another Indian student, Shreyas Reddy Benigeri, was reported dead in the Ohio region. The Indian Embassy in New York confirmed that a police investigation is underway but no foul play is suspected.

In December, Neel Acharya, an Indian student studying at Indiana’s Purdue University, went missing and his body was discovered last month. On February 1, the Indian Embassy in New York announced the death of 18-year-old Indian-American student Akul B Dhawan at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Dhawan was found dead with signs of hypothermia.

Recently, in the Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar revealed that a total of 403 Indian students have died in foreign countries since 2018 due to various reasons, including natural causes, accidents, and medical conditions. Canada reported the highest number of deaths among Indian students, with 91 cases, followed by the United Kingdom with 48 cases.

US envoy responds to deaths of Indian-origin students

US Ambassador to India, Eric Garcetti, expressed his condolences for the unfortunate deaths of Indian students and assured that the Biden administration is committed to ensuring the safety of all students studying in the United States. Garcetti emphasized that the US remains a favored destination for Indian students and that it is the responsibility of the American government to work collaboratively with India to ensure their safety.

According to a report by The Open Doors, the number of Indian students in the US has reached an all-time high of 268,923 in the academic year 2022-2023, representing a 35% increase from the previous year.

As investigations into these tragic incidents continue, the Indian community and authorities both in the US and abroad are calling for increased security measures to protect Indian students and address the growing concerns surrounding their safety.

(with inputs from PTI)

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