The tragic case of Ajit Singh Chaudhary, a 22-year-old Indian medical student who went missing in Russia nearly three weeks ago, reached a devastating conclusion after his body was reportedly recovered from a dam near the White River in Ufa. Chaudhary, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan, had been studying at Bashkir State Medical University since 2023. His disappearance on October 19 triggered extensive searches, appeals from his family, and diplomatic outreach, but the circumstances surrounding his death remain unclear.

According to early reports, Chaudhary left his university hostel at around 11 a.m. on October 19, telling his roommate that he was stepping out briefly to buy milk. When he did not return, attempts to reach him by phone failed, as his mobile device appeared to have been switched off soon after he exited the hostel premises. His prolonged absence raised immediate concern among friends and family members in India, who had spoken to him barely an hour before he went missing and said he sounded normal at the time.

Local authorities in Ufa reportedly contacted Chaudhary’s family on October 20, a day after he disappeared, but his relatives later said the information they received during the initial communication was vague. His uncle, Bhoom Singh, told the media that the family struggled to understand the situation because details from Russia were inconsistent and incomplete. The lack of clarity deepened the family’s distress as they attempted to trace him across a foreign country with limited institutional support.

In the days following his disappearance, Chaudhary’s jacket, shoes, and mobile phone were reportedly recovered on the banks of a river. These discoveries intensified concerns that he might have fallen into the water or met with an accident, but the family pressed authorities for a proper investigation before drawing conclusions. They maintained that the items found on the riverbank did not conclusively indicate what might have occurred.

As days passed with no communication from Chaudhary and no significant updates from Russian authorities, his family and fellow villagers sought help from political leaders and officials in India. They reached out to Union Minister Bhupendra Yadav and urged the Alwar District Collector to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) for assistance in tracing the missing student. In parallel, student organisations amplified appeals for action, and the All India Medical Students’ Association wrote to External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar as well as Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajanlal Sharma, seeking intervention to locate Chaudhary and, eventually, to repatriate his body to India.

Reports indicate that communication from the university hostel authorities was inconsistent during the search. Family members said that Chaudhary’s roommate informed the hostel warden shortly after he failed to return, but they claimed that the warden later stopped responding or providing updates. The family has stated publicly that they felt they were “in the dark” regarding both the investigation and the events leading up to Chaudhary’s disappearance. According to them, some of the hostel and university administrators implied that Chaudhary may have jumped into the river, but the family rejected this speculation, saying such assumptions were premature and unsupported by facts.

After 19 days of uncertainty, media reports emerged indicating that Chaudhary’s body had been located in a dam area near the White River. NDTV quoted Nitin Sangwan, chairman of the Alwar Saras Dairy, confirming this development. Details regarding how long the body had been in the water, the cause of death, and whether foul play is suspected have not yet been publicly disclosed. Official confirmation from Indian authorities is awaited, and the MEA is expected to coordinate with Russian officials regarding the examination, documentation, and eventual transportation of the remains.

Chaudhary’s death raises broader concerns about the safety, support systems, and emergency protocols available to Indian students studying abroad. Russia has been a popular destination for Indian students pursuing medical degrees due to its comparatively lower tuition fees and internationally recognised institutions. However, cases like Chaudhary’s highlight the vulnerability of students who may find themselves in unfamiliar environments with limited access to timely institutional support, language assistance, or legal resources.

Chaudhary had joined Bashkir State Medical University in 2023. He was known to be dedicated to his academic goals, and his family expected him to return home in November for a visit. Those close to him have described him as diligent, responsible, and well-adjusted to his academic life in Russia. Nothing in his recent communications suggested distress or an intention to isolate himself. His sudden disappearance after stepping out for a routine errand, followed by the discovery of personal belongings along the river, has left many unanswered questions that the family hopes will be addressed through a transparent investigation.

The All India Medical Students’ Association has reiterated the necessity of swift action to bring Chaudhary’s remains home, stressing the emotional and financial strain on the family. They emphasise that Indian authorities must ensure that foreign institutions handling Indian students follow appropriate protocols during emergencies. The association also highlighted the importance of strengthening communication channels between Indian embassies, students, host institutions, and families, especially during crises involving disappearance, injury, or death.

As the family awaits formal updates, there is a parallel call for clarity regarding the Russian police investigation. Determining whether Chaudhary’s death was accidental, intentional, or the result of criminal action is crucial for providing closure to his family and for ensuring accountability where required. There are also concerns about whether authorities acted promptly in the early phase of the search, since the first 24 hours after a missing person report are often critical.

The case has sparked discussions on social media, especially among students currently studying in Russia or planning to pursue medical degrees abroad. Many have expressed fear and uncertainty, urging the government to help create stronger support mechanisms for Indian nationals studying overseas. Others have focused on the immediate needs of the Chaudhary family, emphasising the emotional distress caused by the long wait for information and urging authorities to expedite the repatriation process.

For the family in Alwar, the grief is compounded by the distance and by the procedural hurdles involved in retrieving Ajit’s body from a foreign jurisdiction. They had pinned their hopes on his return in November, and the news of his death has left the community in mourning. Villagers who supported the family during the weeks of uncertainty have now turned their attention to ensuring he is brought home with dignity.

As further details emerge, the priority for Chaudhary’s relatives and supporters remains the swift repatriation of his remains and a clear, factual account of what led to the tragic end of a young student who had set out to build a medical career abroad.

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