Quicksplained: Who was Mohammed Abdul Arfath, ‘missing’ Indian student, now found dead in the US?

Just days after an Indian student died in the United States, another was reported dead in Cleveland, Ohio. The Indian consulate in New York said on Tuesday (9 April) that it was “anguished to learn” about the demise of Mohammed Abdul Arfath.

Arfath had gone missing in the US last month and search was on to find him. Several reports of attacks on or deaths of Indian or Indian-origin students have been reported this year. Arfath’s is the 11th such incident.

On Saturday (5 April), Uma Satya Sai Gadde passed away in Cleveland. The Indian consulate in New York said that the police have launched an investigation into his death.

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Here’s what we know about Mohammed Abdul Arfath.

Who was Mohammed Abdul Arfath?

1. Mohammed Abdul Arfath went to the US last May to pursue a master’s degree in information technology at Cleveland University. The 25-year-old, who hailed from Nacharam, Hyderabad, was believed to be missing after his family could not reach him after 7 March this year.

2. According to the student’s family, they received a ransom call on 19 March from an unknown person who claimed Arfath had been kidnapped by a drug-selling gang. The caller demanded $1,200 (Rs 99,889) to release Arfath and reportedly threatened to sell his kidney if the family did not pay up. But, no payment mode was explained, as per PTI. 

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3. Arfath’s father Mohammed Saleem told The Quint that he last spoke to his son on 7 March after which his phone was switched off. As per The Hindu report, the father said that Arfath was last seen at a Walmart store, as captured by CCTV footage on 8 March. “He is my only son. He said he was missing us and his friends and wanted to come home. I told him that he could do so during his vacations, and if needed, I would send him the airfare. The last time I spoke to him was on 7 March, but that was only for a few seconds. He called his friend the next day and spoke to him. I am told that a detective [a police officer] is handling the case,” Saleem, who works at construction sites, told the newspaper.

4. Arfath’s father also wrote to External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar, seeking his intervention to locate his son. On 21 March, the Indian consulate in New York said it was in touch with Arfath’s family in Telangana and authorities in the US. “We are working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest”.

5. Today, the consulate confirmed the death of the 25-year-old Indian student, offering “deepest condolences” to his family. It said it is in contact with the local agencies to “ensure thorough investigation” into Arfath’s death. “We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” the consulate wrote on X.

Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.

Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammed Arfath’s family. @IndiainNewYork is in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into Mr… https://t.co/FRRrR8ZXZ8

— India in New York (@IndiainNewYork) April 9, 2024

6. This is the eleventh such tragic incident involving an Indian or Indian-origin student in the US in 2024. Last week, Gadde also died in Cleveland. On 18 March, Abhijeeth Paruchuru was found dead in a car deep in a forest in Boston.

7. The US is a preferred destination for Indian students for higher studies. However, the spate of such tragic incidents has raised concerns back home, leaving families anxious and shocked.

With inputs from agencies