HYDERABAD: A month has passed since the tragic incident that shook the Indian community in the United States, yet the pain remains fresh for Venkat Reddy, the grieving father from Telangana whose world came crashing down on May 29.
The Fateful Night That Changed Everything
His son, 22-year-old Sai Karthik, an ambitious student from Warangal pursuing his Masters in Computer Science at Cleveland State University, met a tragic end during what should have been a routine police encounter in Ohio. The young student was fatally shot by local police officers under circumstances that continue to raise troubling questions.
A Father's Unanswered Questions
"They took my son away from me," Venkat Reddy told Deccan Herald, his voice heavy with emotion. "He was just a boy with big dreams, working hard to build a better future. Why did they have to use lethal force?"
The distraught father has been navigating the complex maze of international bureaucracy and legal procedures while dealing with unimaginable personal loss. His days are now consumed by a single-minded pursuit: ensuring his son's death isn't just another statistic in the growing list of police shootings.
The Long Road to Justice
Despite the geographical distance and procedural hurdles, Reddy has been working tirelessly with Indian authorities and legal experts to seek accountability. The Indian Embassy in Washington has been providing consular assistance, but the process has been painfully slow.
"We want a thorough, transparent investigation," Reddy emphasized. "The American authorities must answer why deadly force was necessary against an unarmed student who posed no threat to anyone."
A Promising Life Cut Short
Friends and family remember Sai Karthik as a bright, ambitious young man who embodied the dreams of many Indian students abroad. His academic excellence and warm personality made him popular among peers and professors alike.
"He was the pride of our family," his father shared, fighting back tears. "We sacrificed everything to send him to America for higher education. We never imagined he would return home in a coffin."
The Way Forward
The case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by Indian students in foreign countries and the need for stronger diplomatic mechanisms to protect their rights. As the investigation continues, the family's quest for justice has become a symbol of the broader struggle for police accountability and the protection of international students' rights.
"We will not rest until we get justice for Karthik," Reddy vowed. "No other parent should experience this nightmare."
