Birthday bash ends in tragedy for Chandigarh siblings in Toronto

Tribune News Service

Naina Mishra

Chandigarh, February 11

In a devastating turn of events, the birthday celebrations by two city youths, Reetik Chhabra (23) and his younger brother Rohan (22), took a tragic turn as they met an untimely demise in a car crash in Toronto, Canada. Rohan’s newly wedded wife now finds herself in a desperate struggle.

As their dreams of a life together in Canada stand shattered, she seeks an emergency visa to bid a final farewell to her husband.

Having moved to Canada more than two and a half years ago, the Chhabra brothers had built a life in the bustling city of Toronto. Reetik, the elder of the two, had paved the way for the immigration of his younger brother, Rohan, who joined him later.

A day before the tragedy, the Chhabra family back in Chandigarh had celebrated Reetik’s birthday by cutting a cake at home, unaware of the impending tragedy. The day began with optimism as Rohan, just hours before the accident, joyfully shared the birthday celebrations with his wife through a video call. Little did she know that it would be her last conversation with her husband. The couple, married just last November, had dreams of building a life together in Canada.

We both had known each other since 11th grade and had plans of building our lives together in Canada. We got married in November. We spoke on a video call and he promised to call me back after reaching home. I was excited to join him in Canada and had worked on some formalities on the day of tragedy. I can’t believe I have lost him,” said the aggrieved wife.

Their grandmother is also in a state of shock and relatives, who have gathered at their home, are constantly consoling her. The pain extends beyond the Chhabra family, reaching Pune, where their friend Gaurav Fasge (24) hailed from. The trio, close friends since their time at Seneca College, met the tragic end together. While the Chhabra family has flown to Canada for the last rites, the Fasge family, unable to travel, is being supported by the Chhabras both emotionally and financially. The Fasge family requires Rs 30 lakh to bring the body of his dead son to India.

The accident, which occurred at 1:30 am in the town of Brampton on Thursday, has left a lingering suspicion of another vehicle’s involvement. One person has been taken into custody.

Reetik and Rohan’s father, Raj Kumar, a hospital attendant at the PGIMER in Chandigarh, is left to grapple with the unimaginable loss. The Chhabra brothers pursued their education at Chitkara School before venturing abroad on study visa. Their last rites will be performed in a couple of days after the local authorities are through with the investigation and formalities.

Chhabra family supports Fasges in bringing body of their son

While the Chhabra family has flown to Canada for the last rites of the two siblings, the Fasge family, who also lost their son Gaurav in the car crash, is being supported by the Chhabras both emotionally and financially. The Fasge family, who are based in Pune, Maharashtra, requires Rs 30 lakh to bring the body to India.

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