US: Missing Indian student from Hyderabad found dead in Cleveland

Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam near Hyderabad, was pursuing a master's degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio

PGurus Newsdesk

April 9, 2024

Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam near Hyderabad, was pursuing a master's degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio

Indian student found dead in Cleveland, 11th case in US in 2024

Mohammad Abdul Arfath, a 25-year-old student from Hyderabad, who moved to the US in 2023 was found dead in Cleveland City. He was missing for nearly three weeks. He was pursuing a Master’s degree in Information Technology (IT) at Cleveland University.

The death of Mohammad Abdul Arfath is the second such incident within a week and the 11th in 2024.

Mohammad Abdul Arfath, hailing from Nacharam near Hyderabad, was pursuing a master’s degree in Information Technology at Cleveland University, Ohio. He was not in touch with the family since March 7 and his family here had received a ransom call.

“Anguished to learn that Mr. Mohammed Abdul Arfath, for whom a search operation was underway, was found dead in Cleveland, Ohio. Our deepest condolences to Mr Mohammad Arfath’s family,” the Consulate General of India in New York said in a post on ‘X’ on Tuesday.

The Consulate is in touch with local agencies to ensure a thorough investigation into Mohammad Abdul Arfath’s death. “We are extending all possible assistance to the bereaved family to transport his mortal remains to India,” it added.

On March 21, the Indian consulate posted that it was in touch with Arfath’s family and authorities in the US and was working with local law enforcement agencies to find him at the earliest.

Arfath’s family residing in Malkajgiri district near Hyderabad had received a call from an unidentified person, who claimed that Arfath had been kidnapped allegedly by a gang selling drugs and demanded USD 1,200 to release him.

Arfath’s father Mohammad Saleem said he received the call on March 17. The caller threatened to sell Arfath’s kidneys if the ransom wasn’t paid.

Arfath went to the US in May 2023 to pursue a Masters in IT from Cleveland University. His family claims he had not spoken to them since March 7.

After Saleem received the ransom call, he informed his relatives in the US, who filed a missing complaint with the Cleveland police. The police had issued a watch order. According to the order, Abdul was wearing a white T-shirt, a red jacket, and blue jeans.

The family wrote to the Indian Consulate in Chicago on March 18 to help trace Arfath.

Saleem had also appealed to Minister for External Affairs S Jaishankar for help in locating his son.

Arfath had reportedly left his home at Reserve Square on March 5 and had not returned.

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