By Jasleen Kaur

Copyright ptcnews

PTC Web Desk: The death of 38-year-old Indian techie professional Nizamuddin in Santa Clara, California, has triggered outrage among his family and community after the police confirmed he was shot during an officer-involved incident earlier this month.Nizamuddin, originally from Mahabubnagar in Telangana, was described by his family as a quiet, religious man who had long raised concerns of workplace exploitation and racial bias in the United States. In a detailed LinkedIn post shared shortly before his death, he claimed to have been “a victim of racial hatred, discrimination, harassment, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice.”In his post, he openly criticised what he called a culture of “white supremacy” and “corporate tyranny,” alleging that his employers underpaid him against Department of Labour standards and subjected him to continued harassment even after terminating his job. He further alleged that his troubles were compounded by what he described as “a racist detective and team” who intimidated him after his dismissal.According to a statement from the Santa Clara Police Department (SCPD), officers responded to a 911 call at 6:08 am on September 3 regarding a stabbing incident inside a residence.The police said that upon arrival, they encountered the suspect, identified as Nizamuddin, and engaged in what became an “officer-involved shooting.” He was taken to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The victim, believed to be his roommate, was hospitalised with stab injuries but is expected to recover.Police Chief Cory Morgan said preliminary findings suggested that the confrontation between Nizamuddin and his roommate had escalated violently before officers arrived. “From the initial investigation, it appears the officer’s action stopped further harm and likely saved at least one life,” he stated, confirming that two knives were recovered from the scene.Family’s reactionFamily members in India have contested the circumstances of his death, calling it a tragic overreaction by law enforcement. His father, Hasnuddin, said he was informed that the dispute with his roommate reportedly began over a “minor matter” related to an air-conditioner.“I came to know my son was shot dead by Santa Clara police, and his body is in some hospital in Santa Clara, California. I do not know the actual reasons why the police shot him dead,” he said in a letter to External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, requesting the repatriation of his son’s body.Majlis Bachao Tehreek (MBT) spokesperson Amjed Ullah Khan, who shared the family’s appeal with the media, also urged the Indian authorities to intervene and support the grieving family.Unanswered questionsWhile the SCPD maintains that the officer’s actions prevented further harm, Nizamuddin’s earlier claims of facing systemic racial harassment, wage fraud, and wrongful termination have cast a shadow over the case, raising broader concerns about the treatment of immigrant workers in the US tech sector.