An Indian student from the state of Rajasthan has been found dead near a dam in Russia, nearly three weeks after he left the hostel to buy milk, media reports said. 22-year-old Ajit Singh Chaudhary has been pursuing MBBS from Russia’s Bashkir State Medical University since 2023. On October 19, he left his hostel at 11 am, telling his friend that he was going out to buy milk.

But he never returned.

A search operation was later launched after the authorities found his clothes, phone and shoes near the White River, reported India Today. His body was found near a dam adjoining the same river in Ufa after 19 days. So far, there has been no official word from the Indian Embassy in Russia, but reports say the officials there have informed Ajit’s family about his passing away.

Ex-Union Minister confirms incident, urges probe

Requesting External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar to look into the matter urgently, former Union Minister Jitendra Singh Alwar said that the development has left him “deeply stressed”

In a long post on X in Hindi, Alwar said the deceased’s clothes, mobile phone, and shoes were found by the riverbank. “The family was extremely distraught upon hearing the news of the 22-year-old boy’s disappearance; the entire family had been making efforts and prayers for his safe return,” he added.

The Congress leader further said that the family, including his uncle, met him; and that they managed to connect with the Bashkir State Medical University through India’s Ambassador to Russia.

“Today’s news of Ajit’s body being found in the river is utterly shocking. This is an extremely sorrowful moment for the Alwar family; in suspicious circumstances, we have lost a promising young boy. I express my deepest condolences to Ajit’s father Roop Singh ji, mother Santara Devi ji, and the entire family,” he said.

Alwar further requested the EAM to see that Ajit’s body is brought back to India soon and that the family does not have to run around the offices anymore.

AIMSA writes to EAM

Meanwhile, the All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) also wrote to EAM Jaishankar drawing his attention to the matter. The fraternity expressed shock over the news and urged the Minister of External Affairs to intervene and connect with the Indian Embassy in Moscow to bring Ajit’s body.

AIMSA writes to EAM S Jaishankar (X)

“We also request the necessary assistance be extended to the bereaved family to expedite formalities and bring their son home at the earliest,” the letter read.