Concerns over the safety of Indians in Canada have intensified following the killing of two Indian nationals in Toronto within a week. The incidents have triggered widespread anxiety among the Indian community and drawn sharp criticism of local law enforcement. Canadian journalist Daniel Bordman voiced strong concern over what he described as a growing anti-Indian sentiment and an apparent lack of urgency in police investigations. Speaking to ANI, he said the recent cases reflect a troubling pattern in how such crimes are handled, adding that details about the murders remain scarce despite their seriousness.
Bordman said that in the latest case, the public only knows the victim’s identity and that a murder occurred, with little clarity on motive or suspects. He criticised what he called the “extreme incompetence” of Canadian police, alleging that authorities often fail to act decisively in violent crime cases. He further claimed that while online offences are sometimes pursued aggressively, serious crimes such as murder are handled with far less urgency, leading to delayed justice and repeat offences.
The concern follows the killing of Himanshi Khurana, a 30-year-old Indian-origin woman found dead in a Toronto residence after being reported missing. Police later confirmed the case as a homicide and launched a search for her live-in partner, Abdul Ghafoori. Just days later, another Indian national, 20-year-old Shivank Avasthi, was shot dead in the Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road area, with suspects fleeing before police arrived.
These back-to-back incidents have unsettled the Indian diaspora in Canada, many of whom have moved there in recent years for education and employment. The Ministry of External Affairs in India acknowledged the killing of Avasthi, expressing condolences and stating that it is in touch with both the victim’s family and Canadian authorities to understand the circumstances surrounding the death. The incidents have renewed calls for stronger protection of Indian nationals abroad and greater accountability in handling violent crimes.
