Vidhi Megha, a 22-year-old from Gujarat, was stabbed to death in broad daylight in St. Catharines, Canada, near Niagara, more than two weeks ago.
The family of a 22-year-old Indian student, who was stabbed to death in Canada, has appealed to the government to repatriate her body at the earliest so that they can perform her last rites.
Vidhi Megha, a resident of Borsad in Anand district of Gujarat, was killed in St. Catharines near Niagara on May 15 after she was attacked by an unknown person in broad daylight.
Her father, Kalpeshbhai Megha, said his daughter was like that She stabbed her with a knife and died from her wounds, despite attempts by passers-by to save her.
Read also | An Indian-origin woman was shot dead inside a store in the United States; The attack was detected on camera
“She was attacked with a knife and injured. Someone tried to defend her, but she was stabbed and died,” he told news agency ANI.
“My only request from the government is that the last rites of my daughter be performed in India, so her body should be brought here as soon as possible,” he said. He added that the family has not received any response from the authorities yet.
Kalpeshbhai Megha said he was informed of his daughter’s death by local police officials in Canada, after which his relatives there initiated formal procedures. He said: “I received information from the police station, and I contacted my relatives there via mail, and they took all the necessary procedures.”
The family also alleged delays and lack of cooperation from authorities in Canada. Vidhi’s aunt, Snehal, said the family has still not been able to see her body, nearly two weeks after the accident.
Read also | An Indian man shot at the Israeli border was the victim of a job scam, his family claims
“It has been almost 15 days now, and we have not been able to get a glimpse of her body. I request the government to complete the procedure as soon as possible and hand over her body to us. The government and the police there are not responding to us properly,” she told news agency ANI.
She added: “My brother is there and is in touch with everyone, but he only knows things through email. No one is cooperating there. I also urge the Minister of External Affairs to take quick action and hand over Vidhi to us.”
Vidhi Megha moved to Canada nearly three years ago to receive higher education and was also working part-time to manage her expenses. According to her father, she completed a three-year course in business administration and later enrolled in the Personal Support Workers (PSW) honors course.
“My daughter went there to study business administration. She completed her three-year course and then pursued a PSW honors course. My brother-in-law and her grandparents also live there,” he said.
The grieving father also said that local MLA Ramanbhai Solanki visited the family after the incident. Solanki later said he had conveyed the family’s request that Vaidhi’s remains be returned quickly to the Prime Minister’s Office and the Prime Minister’s Office.
Canadian police have reportedly launched an investigation into the murder, although officials have yet to reveal details about the suspect or motive behind the attack.
