NEW DELHI, Apr 10
A phone call from the Indian Consulate in New York on the eve of Eid shattered the family of Mohammed Abdul Arfath – the 25-year-old Indian student who went missing in the US last month and has been found dead in Cleveland, Ohio.
Ever since Arfath went missing in March, and the Indian Consulate told them it was working with law enforcement authorities to find him, the family had been holding on to hope.
Arfath had gone to the US in May 2023 to pursue Masters in IT from Cleveland University. “He used to call regularly and would tell us he missed us. He said he was doing well in his studies; he had big aspirations and dreams,” said a family member.
The family, residing in Hyderabad’s Malkajgiri, lost contact with him around March 7, when they discovered that his mobile phone was switched off and he had not contacted them for two-three days. This was unusual since he would call daily.
On March 17, Arfath’s father Salim received a mysterious phone call from the US, with an unidentified person claiming that he had been kidnapped, and demanding a ransom of $1,200 to release him. The caller threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the amount was not paid immediately.
“We were scared, disoriented and in shock (when the ransom call came in). We went numb and did not know what to do, but we were aware his life was in grave danger. We informed a few relatives living in the US who lodged a police complaint, and we also informed the Consulate in Chicago. Everyone cooperated and they tried to search for him. We had also appealed to Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to speak to officials in the US to help locate him. We had been fasting and praying for his safe return; we still had hope he would be traced and rescued. Today, we received the shattering news,” said a family member.
In a post on X, the Consulate General of India, New York, wrote, “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.” It added that it was in touch with local agencies to ensure thorough investigation into the student’s death. “We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” it added.
