International PhD Student from Afghanistan Found Dead in University Apartment in Gujarat, India

Vadodara, Gujarat – The body of Bainullah Ziya, a 34-year-old Afghan national pursuing his doctorate, was discovered in his rented apartment late Saturday night, sending shockwaves through the academic community of Maharaja Sayajirao (MS) University and raising urgent questions about the wellbeing of international students.

Ziya, a PhD scholar in the Department of Architecture at MS University, had been residing in the Fatehgunj area of Vadodara for the past two years. According to reports in The Times of India and other local media, friends became concerned after he was unresponsive to knocks on his door on Saturday. Upon alerting authorities, police from the Sayajigunj station forced entry into the apartment and found his body inside.

Ongoing Investigation Points to Suicide, Motives Unclear

Senior police officials stated that the body has been sent for a detailed post-mortem examination. While preliminary observations suggest suicide, investigators have emphasized that the exact cause and circumstances leading to his death remain under active investigation.

“No suicide note was immediately recovered from the scene, and there are no apparent signs of foul play,” a police spokesperson said. “We are exploring all possible angles to understand what led to this tragedy.”

Authorities are forensically examining Ziya’s mobile phone and personal belongings for clues. Simultaneously, detectives are conducting interviews with his friends, classmates, faculty advisors, and family members—both locally and in Afghanistan. The investigation aims to piece together his state of mind in the preceding days, examining potential factors such as academic pressure, personal challenges, financial stresses, or the unique difficulties faced by an international student far from home.

A Community in Mourning and a Broader Concern

The tragic news has plunged the university campus into grief. MS University officials have expressed profound sorrow and extended condolences to Ziya’s family and friends. “We are deeply saddened by this loss. The university is providing full cooperation to the police in their investigation and is offering counselling support to affected students, particularly those in the international student community,” a university representative stated.

Ziya’s death has also ignited a wider conversation about the mental health pressures on international students, who often grapple with intense academic expectations, cultural isolation, language barriers, and uncertain futures. The case echoes similar tragedies globally, highlighting the need for robust, accessible mental health support systems tailored for migrant student populations.

Authorities Promise Thorough Probe

Police have assured the public and Ziya’s family of a thorough and transparent investigation. The final post-mortem report is awaited to conclusively determine the cause of death.

“We are treating this case with the utmost seriousness and sensitivity,” the police spokesperson added. “Our goal is not just to determine how he died, but to understand why, to provide closure to the family and insights that might prevent such incidents in the future.”

As the investigation continues, the focus remains on supporting those grieving while seeking answers to the questions surrounding this untimely death. The incident serves as a somber reminder of the silent struggles that can accompany the pursuit of education in a foreign land.

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