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Canada court sentences killer of Ghaziabad student Kartik Vasudev to life imprisonment
A Toronto court convicted Richard Edwin of two counts of first-degree murder in the case involving the killing of Indian student Kartik Vasudev. The court rejected his not-criminally responsible due to mental disorder defense, with the verdict delivered on April 20, 2026, and sentencing to life imprisonment on April 21, 2026.
Why It Matters
This case highlights how Canadian courts handle murder cases where a mental-disorder defense is raised and has implications for international students and cross-border crime reporting.
Timeline
8 Events
Guilty verdict: Richard Edwin found guilty of first-degree murder
April 20, 2026
A Canadian court reads the guilty verdict for Richard Edwin on first-degree murder in the 2022 killings. Gaurav Vasudev, Kartik’s cousin, states that justice has been served.
Second killing: Elijah Eleazar Mahepath killed two days later
April 9, 2022
Richard Edwin kills 35-year-old Elijah Eleazar Mahepath two days after Vasudev’s death; Mahepath is a separate victim and the two were strangers to Edwin.
First killing: Kartik Vasudev shot outside Sherbourne subway station
April 7, 2022
Richard Edwin leaves his home, travels to Sherbourne station in Toronto, and fires multiple shots at Kartik Vasudev, who is walking on the sidewalk; Vasudev dies from his injuries and Edwin flees the scene.
Kartik Vasudev moves to Canada to pursue MBA
January 2022
Kartik Vasudev, originally from Ghaziabad, moves to Canada in January 2022 to pursue an MBA.
Life imprisonment imposed
April 21, 2026
Richard Edwin was sentenced to life imprisonment.
Guilty verdict delivered
April 20, 2026
The Superior Court of Toronto, presided by Justice Jane Kelly, found Richard Edwin guilty on two counts of first-degree murder for the killings on April 7 and April 9, 2022; the plea of not criminally responsible due to a mental disorder was rejected.
Second murder in Toronto case
April 9, 2022
Richard Edwin killed another stranger in Toronto.
First murder in Toronto case
April 7, 2022
Richard Edwin killed a stranger in Toronto.