‘Buy Milk’ Trip Ends in Tragedy for Indian Student in Russia

A nearly three-week agonising search for an Indian medical student in Russia has concluded tragically, with his body recovered from a dam in Ufa city. The student, identified as Ajit Singh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old pursuing his MBBS, had been missing since October 19th after leaving his hostel with a casual remark that he was going out “to buy milk.”

The Disappearance

Ajit, a native of Alwar district in Rajasthan, was a third-year student at the Bashkir State Medical University. According to his friends and roommates, he stepped out of his accommodation around 11 am on October 19th, stating he would return within a short time. He never came back. His sudden and unexplained disappearance immediately sparked concern among his peers, who soon alerted the authorities and his family in India.

Search Efforts and Discovery

The search, involving local Russian authorities and supported by efforts from the Indian Embassy in Moscow, initially yielded a few grim clues. Days after his disappearance, his clothes, mobile phone, and shoes were discovered near the banks of the White River in Ufa. This discovery fuelled speculation that he might have been swept away by the river, which was reportedly swollen due to seasonal rains at the time.

The search culminated nineteen days after he went missing when his body was recovered from a dam adjoining the same river. The Indian Embassy subsequently informed Ajit’s family about the devastating discovery. Fellow students from the university reportedly assisted in identifying the body.

Family’s Grief and Repatriation Process

The news has plunged his family in Rajasthan into profound grief and shock. Relatives shared the immense sacrifices made to fund Ajit’s dream of becoming a doctor, including selling a significant portion of their land. “We sent him with so many dreams. Now, we are only waiting for his body to return,” a family member lamented.

The repatriation process is currently underway, being coordinated between the Indian Embassy and Russian officials. Authorities have indicated that a post-mortem will be conducted by a medical board in Russia to ascertain the exact cause of death before his remains can be flown back to India, a process expected to take a few days.

Calls for Investigation

The circumstances surrounding Ajit Singh Chaudhary’s death have been labelled as suspicious by his family and several community leaders back home. Local political figures have publicly urged the Ministry of External Affairs in India to expedite the repatriation process and ensure a thorough investigation is conducted by Russian authorities to determine if any foul play was involved. The tragic loss serves as a somber reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by students studying far from home.