Vivek Taneja : “Indian-Origin Techie Dies in US Assault”

Updated February 10th, 2024 at 09:37 IST

Virginia: The recent surge in crimes targeting Indians in the United States has instilled a profound sense of fear and insecurity within the community. With incidents of violence, Indians residing in the country now grapple with the daunting reality of their safety being compromised. In the past one and a half months, at least four individuals of Indian origin have lost their lives due to targeted attacks.

Adding to this alarming trend, 41-year-old Vivek Taneja, a resident of Virginia, tragically lost his life after a brutal assault outside two sister Japanese restaurants. According to US media reports, Taneja was knocked to the ground by the suspect, hitting his head on the pavement, causing life-threatening injuries.

The incident took place on February 2, around 2 am, outside Shoto Restaurant in the 1100 block of 15th Street Northwest. Taneja lost consciousness as a result of the attack, and when the authorities arrived, he was immediately rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Despite receiving medical care, Taneja’s injuries proved fatal, and he passed away on Wednesday. This tragic incident has sent shockwaves through the Indian community in Virginia and has prompted widespread outrage and calls for justice.

The search for the suspect, captured on CCTV, is currently underway. In an effort to gather information and bring the perpetrator to justice, officials have announced a reward of $25,000 for individuals who can provide any relevant information.

This incident adds to the growing list of attacks on Indians in the US. Since December 2023, a total of eight Indian individuals have been reported as killed in various incidents.

Just a few days ago, the body of 19-year-old student Shreyas Reddy Beniger was discovered in Ohio under suspicious circumstances. Similarly, another Indian student named Neel Acharya, studying at Purdue University, was found dead.

In a separate incident earlier this week, an Indian student identified as Syed Mazahir Ali was brutally attacked by robbers in Chicago. A video circulating on social media shows Ali pleading for help, bleeding from his nose and mouth.

The surge in violence against Indians has raised concerns about the safety and security of the community. Authorities and community leaders are urging for immediate action to address these hate crimes and ensure the protection of all individuals, regardless of their ethnicity or nationality.