By Prema Srivedi

https://youtu.be/twC8wwrBUW0

Since the beginning of 2024, there have been nearly a dozen deaths involving Indian students or students of Indian origin in the US. This week, a 25-year-old Indian student who had been missing for a month was found dead in Ohio. The student, Mohammad Abdul Arfath, originally from Hyderabad, had gone to the US in 2023 to study at Cleveland University. Just a few days ago, another Indian student named Uma Satya Sai Gadde was also found dead in Ohio under mysterious circumstances.

The most horrifying incident among these deaths was that of Vivek Saini, who was brutally attacked with a hammer over 50 times by an assailant, resulting in his death on the spot on January 16 this year. Vivek's family has been advocating for justice for him for over two and a half months now. His case sheds light on how the US laws and legal system often fail to protect the interests of students like Vivek, and how families of victims, without support from the Indian government or US authorities, face deep challenges in seeking justice. Below is an excerpt of my interview with Shivam Saini, the brother of the deceased Vivek Saini. To watch the full interview, click the YouTube link above.

Prema Sridevi: Shivam, thank you for joining me. Sorry for your loss. I know it has been a difficult 2024 for you and your family. Please tell me what exactly happened on January 16?

Shivam Saini: My brother Vivek was attacked from behind without any provocation. He was closing the store and was about to return to his room. He was going near the counter to pick up the keys from the washroom, and he was attacked from behind.

Prema Sridevi: The video related to this incident went viral on the internet. I saw the video, and it was very shocking. It’s hard to imagine how someone can do this. I even read that the person who did this was, in fact, being helped by Vivek. Tell me more about the accused in this case, Julian Faulkner.

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