By Admin 
Two Indian citizens were murdered in Toronto, Canada in the last 6 days, which has created deep concern and sorrow in the Indian community. In the first incident, 30-year-old Indian woman Himanshi Khurana was killed, while in the second, 20-year-old Indian medical student Shivank Awasthi was shot dead.
Himanshi’s body was found inside a house
30-year-old Himanshi Khurana lived in Toronto and was a digital content creator on social media. According to Toronto Police, he was reported as a missing person at approximately 10:41 pm on December 19, 2025. The next day i.e. on December 20, 2025, at around 6:30 am, his body was found inside a house in the Strachan Avenue and Wellington Street West area. The police declared this death a case of murder and started investigation.
Toronto’s 40th murder in 2025
Police believe that this is a case of intimate partner violence (violence committed by a partner), because the victim and the suspect already knew each other. In the case, an arrest warrant has been issued across Canada charging 32-year-old Toronto resident Abdul Ghafoori with first-degree murder. Police are searching for him and seeking information from the public. This was Toronto’s 40th murder of 2025.
The Consulate General of India in Toronto expressed deep sorrow over this incident. A statement said, ‘We are deeply shocked and saddened by the murder of young Indian citizen Himanshi Khurana in Toronto. We express our deepest condolences to Himanshi’s family on her demise and are with them in this difficult time.
The Consulate is in touch with the family and is providing all possible help in coordination with Canadian authorities.
Shivank Awasthi shot dead
In the second incident, 20-year-old Indian student Shivank Awasthi was shot dead. He was pursuing his doctorate (PhD) in Life Sciences at the Scarborough Campus of the University of Toronto. The incident occurred on December 23, 2025, at approximately 3:34 pm in the area of Highland Creek Trail and Old Kingston Road, which is very close to the campus.
On receiving the information, the police reached the spot, where he was found shot dead, but he died on the spot. The attackers fled before the police arrived. The campus was put on lockdown during the investigation. Police released Shivank’s photo and sought help from the public. This was Toronto’s 41st murder of 2025.
The Consulate General of India issued a statement saying, ‘We express our deep sorrow over the tragic death of young Indian doctoral student Shivank Awasthi. The Consulate is in touch with Shivank’s family and is providing all necessary help in this difficult time, as well as coordinating with the local authorities.
Is there any connection between the two incidents?
Both incidents happened in Toronto, but police have found no link between them. Toronto Police has clearly stated that there is no connection between the two cases and these are separate incidents. Concern about security abroad has increased among Indian students and community. Police are investigating both the cases separately and have appealed to the public to contact immediately if they have any information.