NEW DELHI: A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala was allegedly murdered in Uzbekistan by a fellow Indian student, with her family claiming the attack followed repeated attempts to pressure her to convert her religion.
Sawariya Basanth, a first-year student at Bukhara State Medical Institute, was allegedly killed by 22-year-old Sadarul Anam, also from Kerala’s Malappuram district. According to local media reports, Uzbek authorities have arrested Anam in connection with the case.
After Basanth’s body was brought back to India, a second post-mortem was conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital on Thursday at the request of her family. Her last rites were later performed in Kerala.
Based on a complaint filed by Basanth’s father, Harippad Police have registered a murder case. The complaint alleges that she had been repeatedly assaulted after refusing Anam’s demands to convert her religion and that some of her classmates were aware of the alleged harassment.
Station House Officer V. Vishnu said the preliminary post-mortem findings indicated signs of physical assault.
“We are yet to receive official details of the crime from law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan. We will examine the legal standing of the case registered in Kerala for an offence that occurred in Uzbekistan,” he said.
The Embassy of India in Uzbekistan said it was providing all possible assistance to the victim’s family.
“Embassy is extending all assistance to the family of deceased Ms Sawariya Basanth, including on the repatriation of her mortal remains. Today, Ambassador met her family member. Embassy is also in constant touch with the concerned authorities in Uzbekistan,” the embassy said in a post on X.
Indian authorities said they remain in contact with their counterparts in Uzbekistan as the investigation progresses.
