Jalandhar family seeks clarity after daughter’s tragic death in Canada

Ritika Rajput, a 22-year-old from Jalandhar, had always dreamed of living, working and owning a home in Canada. In January this year, she achieved her goal when she moved to the country, marking it as her first victory. However, fate had other plans. On December 7, she tragically died when a tree fell on her during a bonfire near James Lake.

Her family has been left devastated. Ritika’s elder sister, Bharti, said, “My mother is in such shock that she won’t let me and my brother go anywhere. I’ve even quit my job — she just wants us both with her.” Ritika’s mother, Kiran, went into depression after hearing the news and spent days praying for her daughter’s safety, unable to accept the reality of the tragedy.

Ritika was studying hotel management and her parents ran a boutique. Ten days after her death, the family is still seeking answers. “The authorities told us it was an accident, but why did my sister go 50 km away from her home during a storm alert?” Bharti questioned.

Ritika had called her mother on December 7, saying she was going with friends; however, the family only learned later they were far from home. Bharti added, “We are trying hard to bring her body back, but nothing is clear yet. We don’t know what happened.”

Bharti remembers her sister as a courageous, ambitious and strong person who never backed down from any challenge.