In a tragic incident in Santa Clara, California, police shot a 30-year-old techie who hails from Telangana, India. It is alleged that the software professional stabbed his roommate earlier this month. Denying this accusation, the deceased’s family has accused authorities of racial bias and have requested a thorough investigation.

What had happened?

As per the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), after receiving a call on 911 about a stabbing, officers immediately rushed to a residence on September 3. Upon reaching the spot, police found Mohammed Nizamuddin holding a knife and his roommate lying injured.

In a statement, the department said, “SCPD officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an Officer Involved Shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where he was later pronounced deceased.”

Deceased faced discrimination in US

This case is being investigated jointly by the Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office and the SCPD. As per the police, the probe is ‘active and open’. Family and relatives of the deceased have contested the official version, even calling the police narrative false, stating that Nizamuddin himself had called police for help and was shot dead. Relatives described him as a calm, quiet and religious fellow. They also shared that the deceased faced numerous challenges in the US, including discrimination at the workplace.

Systematic racial discrimination

Nizamuddin was a Master’s degree holder in Computer Science from Florida and was working in a technology company in Santa Clara. Family members shared that this wasn’t new information — the deceased had earlier spoken about harassment, wage fraud and wrongful termination.

In a post on LinkedIn, Nizamuddin wrote, “I have been a victim of racial hatred, racial discrimination, racial harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination and obstruction of justice. Enough is enough, white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end.” He even talked about food poisoning and surveillance by people who were supposedly detectives.

Call for the intervention of the Indian government

The deceased’s family has asked for assistance from the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), so that the remains can be brought back to India. Currently, the remains are kept at Santa Clara hospital. The spokesperson of Majlis Bachao Tehreek said he has written to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and requested the Embassy in Washington to step in and share a detailed report on the case.