‘Faced racial hatred’: Telangana techie shot dead in US amid job hunt; spoke of discrimination, unpaid wages in last post

HYDERABAD: In a recent post on social media before he was shot dead by Santa Clara police in California on September 3, Mohammed Nizamuddin, the 32-year-old software engineer from Telangana, had alleged that he was a victim of "racial hatred and discrimination".“Today I decided to raise my voice against all odds. Enough is enough; white supremacy/racist white American mentality has to end,” Nizamuddin said in his LinkedIn post, in which he also alleged that he was subjected to workplace harassment, torture, wage fraud, wrongful termination, and obstruction of justice.Nizamuddin, who had been unemployed for the past year and a half, alleged that he faced racial hostility and a poor/ unacceptable environment at his previous company.

“In addition to that, the company committed a salary fraud. I was not paid fairly, not in accordance with wage levels. They wrongfully terminated my employment. It did not end there. They continued their harassment and discrimination with the help of a racist detective and team.

Consulate helping to get back Hyderabad techie’s mortal remainsThe Consulate General of India in San Francisco has responded to the incident in which 32-year-old Mohammed Nizamuddin, a software engineer from Telangana, was shot dead by Santa Clara police in California.

The consulate said it was in contact with the local authorities as well as his family.The consulate is coordinating with US authorities to ensure early repatriation of Nizamuddin’s mortal remains. “We are saddened by the death of Indian national Nizamuddin in an incident involving Santa Clara police. We are in contact with the local authorities and the family, and we will extend consular assistance. Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family,” the consulate said on Friday in response to a post on X by social worker and MBT leader Amjed Ullah Khan.The ministry of external affairs also expressed condolences. “Our thoughts are with you during this difficult time,” it said. The MEA said that a grievance had been registered on the Madad portal and forwarded to the concerned mission for action.The ministry said it was in touch with both US authorities and Nizamuddin’s family, while an official investigation into the incident is underway.MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed on Friday that the ministry was monitoring developments.

“We understand that an investigation is underway. You would also have seen that the local police have released a video and statement giving details of the circumstances. We will render assistance,” he said.Nizamuddin, 32, had completed his higher studies in the US and was living in Santa Clara at the time of the incident. According to police, Nizamuddin was shot dead at his residence in Santa Clara after officers responded to a 911 call.

The Santa Clara police chief said officers found him holding a knife and attacking a roommate when they entered the house, prompting them to open fire. Nizamuddin sustained four bullet injuries and succumbed to them on Sept 3.In a statement, the Santa Clara police department said, “On Sept 3, at 6.18 am, SCPD officers responded to the 1800 block of Eisenhower Drive in Santa Clara for the report of a stabbing in a residence.

The caller stated the suspect had stabbed one victim in the residence,” it said.The SCPD added: “Officers arrived, encountered the suspect, and were involved in an officer-involved shooting. The suspect was transported to a local hospital where they were later pronounced deceased. The victim was transported to a local hospital.”The tragedy has sparked grief in his hometown Mahbubnagar, where family and friends are awaiting the return of his body.