Kerala Police open murder case in Uzbekistan medical student's death, family alleges torture
A week after a 22-year-old Indian medical student from Kerala died in Uzbekistan, Kerala Police have registered a murder case following allegations by her family that she was brutally assaulted before her death.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Haripad Police Station on Wednesday after the victim- Sawariya Basanth's parents approached the District Police Chief, media reports said.
As part of the investigation, a second postmortem examination was conducted at Alappuzha Medical College.
Kerala Police invoke legal provisions despite crime occurring abroad
Kayamkulam Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Binukumar T said Kerala Police are empowered to register a case even though the alleged crime took place outside India.
"Even though the crime occurred in Uzbekistan, there are provisions to register a case here. If the police there prosecute the accused, we will close the case. If no legal action is taken there, we will pursue the case further," he told PTI.
Police said they will coordinate with authorities in Uzbekistan through the Indian Embassy and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to obtain details of the investigation and legal proceedings.
Accused reportedly arrested in Uzbekistan
According to DySP Binukumar, reports indicate that the accused—a fellow medical student from Kerala studying with the victim in Uzbekistan—has already been taken into custody by Uzbek authorities.
"There are reports that the accused has been arrested there. We will proceed through the Ministry of External Affairs to obtain details of the case and the action being taken by the authorities in Uzbekistan," NDTV quoted him as saying.
The victim's family, however, has urged Kerala Police to carry out an independent investigation and has demanded that the accused be brought to India for prosecution.
Police said they would examine whether such a legal course is possible after consulting legal experts and the External Affairs Ministry.
Family rejects initial investigation theory
According to initial reports from Uzbekistan, the accused allegedly struck the victim on the head with a laptop during an argument, leading to her death.
The family has strongly disputed that version, claiming the victim suffered multiple injuries that point to prolonged physical assault.
A relative who travelled to Uzbekistan to bring back her body said investigators there informed him that the student had been tortured before she died.
"She did not die because she was hit on the head with a laptop," NDTV reported, quoting the family member.
He further claimed investigators told him that several students had witnessed the accused allegedly pressuring the victim to convert her religion.
"He had brutally assaulted her a lot before killing her. So, we are seeking a postmortem here and have lodged a complaint here to ensure he does not escape if he is let off by the police in Uzbekistan," the relative alleged.
The family also claimed the accused's parents are government employees and his brother is a doctor.
Both the accused and the victim were reportedly staying in the same hostel while pursuing their medical studies in Uzbekistan.
The allegations made by the family regarding torture and religious coercion have not been independently verified by Indian authorities.
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