Who was Indian student Mohammad Abdul Arfath found dead in US?

A 25-year-old student from India named Mohammad Abdul Arfath, who came from Nacharam, Hyderabad, was missing for a month and was discovered dead in Cleveland, USA. This is the second death in a week for the Indian community there. Arfath came to the US last May to study IT at Cleveland University.

“Anguished to learn that Mr Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on X.

The Consulate expressed its deepest sympathies to Arfath's family and mentioned that they are coordinating with local authorities to make sure there's a comprehensive investigation into his passing.

“We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” the Consulate added.

Who was Indian student Mohammad Ali Arfath?

Mohammad Abdul Arfath was a 25-year-old student from India who hailed from Nacharam, Hyderabad. He pursued a Master's degree in Management Information Systems (MIS) at Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio. Arfath's journey to the United States began in May, aiming to further his education and career prospects. Tragically, he went missing for a month before being found deceased in Cleveland. His untimely death marked the second loss within the Indian community in the city within a week.

Last month, the Consulate stated that it was collaborating with local law enforcement authorities to find the missing Indian student. Arfath’s father, Mohammed Saleem, revealed that his son last communicated with him on March 7, and since then, there had been no contact. Additionally, Arfath's phone was turned off. The Consulate assured, "We are working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest."

Roommates reported missing, ransom demanded

According to Saleem, Arfath's roommates informed him that they had filed a missing person report with the Cleveland Police. However, on March 19, the family received a distressing call from an unidentified person claiming Arfath had been kidnapped by a drug-selling gang. The caller demanded USD 1,200 for his release and threatened to sell Arfath's kidneys if the ransom wasn't paid. Saleem recounted, "I got a call from an unknown number, and the caller informed me that my son had been kidnapped and demanded money."

Arfath’s parents have urged the Central government to take necessary actions to locate and bring back their son safely. Saleem also penned a letter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar seeking assistance. He stated, "When I asked the caller to allow us to talk to my son, he refused."

This incident adds to a series of concerning cases regarding the safety of Indian students in the US. Just last week, an Indian student named Uma Satya Sai Gadde passed away in Ohio, prompting a police investigation.