Body of Rajasthan medical student, missing for 3 weeks in Russia, found in dam

A 22-year-old medical student from Rajasthan’s Alwar district, who had been missing in Russia for nearly three weeks, was found dead near a dam in Ufa city, his family confirmed on Thursday.

The student, identified as Ajit Singh Chaudhary, had been pursuing an MBBS degree at Bashkir State Medical University since 2023.

According to reports, Ajit went missing on October 19 after stepping out of his hostel around 11 a.m., telling friends he would return shortly after buying milk. However, he never came back.

Days later, local authorities recovered his clothes, phone and shoes near the White River. On the 19th day of the search, his body was discovered near a dam adjoining the same river.

The Indian Embassy in Moscow informed both the family and local representatives in Alwar about him.

Fellow students later identified the body. Officials said a post-mortem examination will be conducted by a medical board before the remains are sent back to India. The repatriation process, coordinated between the Indian Embassy and Russian authorities, is expected to take two to three days.

Ajit’s death under suspicious circumstances has left his family and hometown in shock. Relatives said they had sold nearly three bighas of land to fund his medical education abroad.

“We sent him with so many dreams. Now, we are only waiting for his body to return,” a family member said.

Community members and local leaders gathered at the Alwar Jat Hostel, expressing anger over what they called a slow response to Ajit’s disappearance. They urged the government to ensure the swift return of his body and a thorough investigation into the case.

Congress leader Jitendra Singh Alwar, expressing deep grief, called the incident “suspicious” and urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to expedite the repatriation and ensure justice for the family.

“An untoward incident has occurred with the boy under suspicious circumstances; it must be investigated with complete seriousness. The family should not have to run around offices anymore,” Jitendra Singh wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Ajit’s parents, Roop Singh and Santra Devi, are devastated by the loss.