In a tragic development, Vanshika Saini, a 21-year-old student from Dera Bassi and daughter of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Davinder Saini, was found dead near a beach in Ottawa, Canada. Vanshika had been missing from her rented accommodation since April 22.
Her family was alerted to her disappearance on April 25 by a friend after failed attempts to contact her. Davinder Saini, who serves as AAP’s block president and office in-charge for MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, immediately approached local police and contacted the Indian embassy in Ottawa.
A postmortem examination has been conducted, but the cause of death is yet to be confirmed. Efforts are ongoing to bring her body back to India, with AAP leaders, including MP Raj Kumar Chabbewal and MP Balbir Singh Seechewal, coordinating with government officials for support.
MLA Randhawa expressed his condolences, noting that Vanshika was a school topper in Dera Bassi and had recently completed a two-year degree in Health Studies in Canada. After working briefly at a call centre, she had secured a job in a private clinic. She was last heard from on April 22 when she left for work but never returned.
The Indian government has been contacted to expedite the repatriation process, and the family awaits further details pending the final autopsy report.