Punjab AAP leader’s daughter Vanshika Saini, who went to study in Canada, found dead at Ottawa beach

Vanshika Saini

A 21-year-old Indian student from Punjab, Vanshika Saini, was found dead under mysterious circumstances in Ottawa, Canada, on Monday. Vanshika was the daughter of Davinder Saini, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader from Dera Bassi.

According to the authorities, Vanshika’s body was recovered near a beach in the Canadian capital after she had been reported missing from her rented accommodation since April 22.

Vanshika’s family learned of her disappearance only on April 25, when a friend contacted them. Vanshika’s father, Davinder Saini, who is AAP’s block president and oversees the office of local MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, immediately approached the police following which he was suggested to contact the embassy in Ottawa online and also lodge a missing report.

A postmortem has already been conducted in Canada, but the final report is still awaited. The cause of death remains unclear, the authorities said.

Vanshika’s family is currently working with officials to arrange for the return of her body to India. The last time they spoke to her was on April 22, after which her phone remained unreachable.

MLA Kuljit Singh Randhawa, who visited the family, expressed deep sorrow over Vanshika’s death. “We are deeply saddened by Vanshika’s death. She was a topper in her school in Dera Bassi and had been doing well in Canada. Davinder is a close associate and is in-charge of my office. This is a huge loss for us too,” Hindustan Times quoted Randhawa as saying.

The MLA also confirmed that the AAP leadership has reached out to Union government officials and contacted the Indian embassy in Canada, seeking urgent assistance in repatriating Vanshika’s body. “Our party leadership has contacted the Union government and written to the concerned embassy to bring the body. The reason behind the death will be ascertained once the autopsy report is released,” the MLA said.

Vanshika had moved to Canada around two and a half years ago after completing her Class 12 exams. She enrolled in a two-year diploma course in health studies and had recently finished her final exams on April 18. She had also started working part-time at a call centre in Ottawa.

Davinder Saini has reportedly raised suspicions of foul play in his daughter’s death. The family is currently awaiting further clarity from the Canadian authorities and the final postmortem report.

We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community https://t.co/7f4v8uGtuk
India in Canada (@HCI_Ottawa) April 28, 2025

The High Commission of India in Ottawa, Canada informed that all possible assistance would be provided to the kin and that the investigation by the local police is ongoing. “We are deeply saddened to be informed of the death of Ms. Vanshika, student from India in Ottawa. The matter has been taken up with concerned authorities and the cause is under investigation as per local police. We are in close contact with the bereaved kin and local community associations to provide all possible assistance.,” HCI Ottawa wrote in a post on X.