'Wanted to Win Big in Life’: Father Mourns Indian Student Vanshika Saini Found Dead in Canada

'Wanted to Win Big in Life’: A family in mourning, devastated by the death of their beloved daughter, 21-year-old Vanshika Saini, the Indian student who has mysteriously died in Canada. The family maintains that they are certain their beloved daughter could not have taken her life. Alleging wrongdoing, the Saini family seeks justice and the homecoming of their child's body at the earliest.

Vanshika was the daughter of Devinder Singh Saini, an AAP leader and a close aide of MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa. A native of Dera Bassi in Punjab, Vanshika reportedly shifted to Ottawa two and a half years ago after completing schooling to pursue a diploma course.

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"Meri vanshu esi nahi thi. Kisi ne usko maara hai. (My Vanshika was not like this. Someone has killed her," said Babita, Vanshika's aunt, while speaking to NDTV. "There is no chance she could take her life. She wanted to be a doctor and create a name for herself and her family," she added.

Vanshika finished her last year of exams on 18 April, followed by a work stint, while she was supposed to take the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test on April 26.

The friend of Vanshika, who was supposed to give the test, tried to call her, but found that her phone was switched off the whole time. Though, it came to the family's notice, because it was highly unusual for her to miss out on a major exam.

"We asked her flatmates and learnt that Vanshika left the house on April 25, around 9:30 pm. YouTube history shows that she watched videos related to IELTS till 11 pm after which her phone was switched off. We don't have any details after that. Her mobile phone was last located at a park near her house," said her uncle.

On a Monday morning, the family learned that Vanshika's body had washed ashore. The precise cause of death was not immediately available, but an investigation was in progress.

"Vanshika was a topper. She was made class monitor within 10 days of starting college in Canada. She wanted to become something. She wanted to create a name for herself. We don't know what happened," said Mr Singh, while speaking to NDTV.

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The High Commission of India in Ottawa has passed condolences to the family and ensured all possible support to the family.

We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community… https://t.co/7f4v8uGtuk

— India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) April 28, 2025

"We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance," the High Commission of India in Ottawa wrote.

"We appeal to the government to send the body to India at the earliest. Our daughter should be sent back home," said Meena, another aunt.

An uncle of Vanshika too sought the intervention of the Canadian government in order to reach the very core of the matter to interrogate friends, hold trials, and understand what transpired. "The perpetrator should be punished," he said.

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