Tragedy at Purdue University: Indian student Neel Acharya found deceased

In a tragic turn of events, Neel Acharya, an Indian student at Purdue University in Indiana, has been confirmed dead in a case that has left the university community and his family in shock. His demise, under circumstances yet to be fully explained, was confirmed by the Tippecanoe County Coroner’s Office.

Police were summoned to 500 Allison Road in West Lafayette on the university campus, where they discovered a “college-aged male” deceased. The victim was later identified as Neel Acharya. This discovery has sent waves of sorrow through the Purdue community, particularly among those at the John Martinson Honors College, where Acharya was a double major in computer and data science.

In an emotional email to the university’s computer science department, interim head Chris Clifton conveyed the sad news. “It is with great sadness that I inform you that one of our students, Neel Acharya, has passed away,” he wrote, extending condolences to Acharya’s friends, family, and all those affected by this tragedy.

The news of Acharya’s passing follows a heart-wrenching appeal by his mother, Gaury Acharya, on social media. She had posted about her son’s disappearance, seeking any information regarding his whereabouts. “Our son Neel Acharya is missing since yesterday… He was last seen by the Uber driver who dropped him off in Purdue university,” her post read.

The Consulate General of India in Chicago responded to the situation, stating, “Consulate is in touch with Purdue University authorities and also with Neel’s family. Consulate will extend all possible support and help.” This statement reflects the broader concern within the Indian community in the US over such incidents.

Acharya’s death comes in the wake of another harrowing incident involving an Indian student in the US. Vivek Saini, 25, was brutally murdered in Georgia, adding to the concerns of the Indian diaspora regarding the safety of their community members abroad.

The back-to-back tragedies of Neel Acharya and Vivek Saini raise critical questions about the safety and well-being of international students in the United States. These incidents call for a more robust support system from universities and diplomatic channels, ensuring the security and welfare of students far from home.