Indian Student Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa Killed In Canada, Family Seeks Government Help To Bring Her Home

A tragic incident occurred in the Canadian city of Hamilton, Ontario, where Harsimrat Kaur Randhawa, a 21-year-old Indian student, was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at a bus stop on her way to work. Randhawa, a student at Mohawk College, was caught in crossfire during a clash between two groups. Her family has now appealed to the Indian government to expedite the process of bringing her body back to India.

Harsimrat, originally from Dhunda village in Punjab’s Tarn Taran district, had been living in Canada for two years, pursuing her studies. The family expressed their devastation over her untimely death. "She had gone to Canada about two years ago for her studies and was heading out for her daily routine when the incident occurred. During a clash between two groups, gunfire erupted, and she was struck by a bullet, leading to her death," said the family in a statement.

Her grandfather, Sukhwinder Singh, 65, shared his anguish with the media. “The family is in complete shock that my granddaughter has left us like this. It is very hard to react to the demise of my beloved granddaughter. I could only say that she was in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said. "Gangsterism is everywhere, and whatever the situation is in Punjab, it’s worse in Canada," he added.

Harsimrat’s father, Vikram Singh Randhawa, expressed his deep sorrow, stating, “Had we known about such a law and order situation, I would have never sent my daughter to Canada. We thought our children were secured in a foreign land, but it is the other way around. We demand stringent punishment for the accused involved in the incident.”
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed their condolences in a post on X, saying, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian student Harsimrat Randhawa in Hamilton, Ontario." The official continued, "As per local police, she was an innocent victim, fatally struck by a stray bullet during a shooting incident involving two vehicles. A homicide investigation is currently underway. We are in close contact with her family and are extending all necessary assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this difficult time."

Hamilton Police reported that they received a call around 7:30 PM local time about a shooting near Upper James and South Bend Road streets. Upon arrival, officers found Randhawa with a gunshot wound to the chest. She was rushed to a hospital but later succumbed to her injuries. Investigators believe that a passenger in a black car fired at the occupants of a white sedan. Shortly after the shooting, both vehicles fled the scene.

The police also confirmed that shots from the incident struck the rear window of a nearby residence, where occupants were watching television just a few feet away. Fortunately, no one was injured in the home. Hamilton Police are urging anyone with dashcam or security camera footage from the area between 7:15 PM and 7:45 PM to come forward with any information that could assist in the ongoing investigation.

As news of Harsimrat's tragic death spread, her family in India, along with many from the village, expressed their sorrow. The family has requested both the Indian and Canadian governments to expedite the process of repatriating her body so they can lay her to rest.

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