Indian Student Who Was Stabbed In US Gym Succumbs To Injuries

Varun Raj Pucha, 24, was a Computer Science student at Valparaiso University, and he was stabbed in the head with a knife by the assailant, Jordan Andrade at a public gym.

Varun had been pursuing an MS in Computer Science and left for the US in August 2022. ( Image Source :GoFundMe )

An Indian student, who was battling for life after a man stabbed him at a public gym on November 5, died on Wednesday while undergoing treatment in Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital at Valparaiso in the US state of Indiana. Varun Raj Pucha, 24, was a Computer Science student at Valparaiso University, and he was stabbed in the head with a knife by the assailant, Jordan Andrade, 24, at the public gym on October 29 for reasons that the authorities are still investigating. Following the incident, the attacker was arrested and is facing charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and attempted murder.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of Varun Raj Pucha. Our campus community has lost one of its own, and our thoughts and prayers go out to Varun’s family and friends as we mourn this devastating loss,” Valparaiso University, a private university in Valparaiso, Indiana, near Chicago, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Varun had been pursuing master’s in computer science and left for the US in August 2022. He was expected to return home to Telangana's Khammam after he would have completed his course next year. According to PTI, his cousin said that his condition did not improve after the incident.

He only had movement on one side of his body and remained unconscious at a hospital in Fort Wayne before his death. Pucha had few of his relatives living in the US, while his parents and the rest of the family live in India. Pucha came to Indiana about a year ago in hopes of getting a good education.

"It's very difficult because no one would expect this kind of situation for their kids. He had many dreams. He came with many dreams, to financially and emotionally support his family," Anile Balleboyne, a relative, was quoted as saying.

By Wednesday, the North American Telugu Society had raised USD 90,000 through GoFundMe for Varun's family.

Varun’s father works as a teacher in a government school in Mahaboobabad district of Telangana. His parents have appealed to the Indian government to take steps to bring the body to India for cremation.