Goel family wants justice for Asha

The Goel family is seeking justice from both the Indian and Canadian government. On August 22, 2003, Dr. Asha Goel was brutally murdered while staying at the home of her brothers, Suresh and Subhash Agrawal, in Mumbai (Bombay), India.

She settled in Canada with her husband in 1963. Here they completed their medical training and raised their three children. She practiced obstetrics and gynecology for 40 years, in Saskatchewan and in Ontario, caring for thousands of women and delivering thousands of babies. Respected and loved by her family, friends, colleagues, and patients, she was a vibrant person who strove to make a positive impact through her medical practice, her charitable works, and her personal commitment to a better world.

In 2005, after a two-year investigation, Mumbai Police charged four men who they concluded were part of a broader conspiracy to murder. Three of these men were employees of Subhash and the fourth was Suresh’s son-in-law. According to court papers filed by Indian authorities, the brothers were involved in a conspiracy to her murder. Though Suresh had died of natural causes shortly after the murder, police named Subhash Agrawal, then a resident of Canada, as a key co-conspirator.

Indian authorities have repeatedly requested Canadian assistance designed to uncover evidence in Canada through a Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT). Despite these requests, the Canadian Government has declared this an “Indian problem” and refuses to comment on the case or to assist the Indian investigation.

By ignoring their obligations under the MLAT, the Canadian government is holding back a full investigation of this crime and its resolution. When suspicions of what Indian authorities describe as Subhash’s involvement first surfaced, the Canadian Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration was alerted. Despite police having named him a “Wanted Accused” in a murder prosecution, Subhash was subsequently granted Canadian citizenship in 2005. In 2006, Interpol issued a Red Corner Notice (international arrest warrant) for Subhash Agrawal in relation to the murder. The Interpol warrant has never been acted upon by Canadian authorities.

The Goel family has worked tirelessly to ensure the case remains open and active. The trial for those originally charged has been delayed several times, and since that time one of the accused has passed away, but we are told the trial may be imminent. Canada has a critical role to play in the resolution of this case, and its assistance is imperative.

The Goel family requests Canadian authorities to carry out their own full investigation so the whole truth is uncovered, whether evidence is located in India or in Canada and that the Canadian government cooperates with the Indian authorities to assist them with information already formally requested in accordance with the MLAT.

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