Vanshika Saini (Social media)
A 21-year-old student from India, Vanshika Saini, was found dead on April 27 after going missing days prior.
Vanshika was the daughter of Davinder Saini, a block president of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) from Punjab. Davinder Saini, is a close aide of AAP MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, who represents the Dera Bassi constituency in the Punjab Assembly, according to The Times of India.
India media report that Vanshika’s family have said that she could not have taken her own life.
The Ottawa Police Service (OPS) issued a statement after she was found dead in a park on the shore of the Ottawa River last weekend.
The May 4 statement comes after The High Commission had previously shared links to letters from the local Hindu community demanding Ottawa Police Service investigate her disappearance.
To help clarify how missing person reports are reviewed, the OPS follows a structured process to evaluate risk and determine the appropriate investigative response. This includes considering a range of factors such as age, medical or mental health needs, and any signs that the individual may be in immediate danger.
Each case receives careful consideration, and this one was no exception. We can assure the community that it was approached with professionalism, urgency, and a deep sense of responsibility from the outset.
Our protocols are in place to safeguard the integrity of investigations, protect personal privacy, and honour the wishes of the families involved.
Above all, we remain focused on supporting families with compassion, dignity, and urgency – even when that work occurs outside the public spotlight.
“We know that trust is earned through consistent action,” said Ottawa Police. “As part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we will continue to engage with community leaders to ensure our practices are inclusive, culturally responsive, and grounded in care, and ensure that every family facing the unimaginable fear of a missing loved one feels heard, supported, and treated with compassion and urgency.”
