Ufa, Republic of Bashkortostan, Russia: A 22-year-old Indian medical student, who had been missing for nearly three weeks in Russia, was discovered dead in a dam near Ufa city. The student, identified as Ajit Singh Chaudhary from Kaphanwada village in Lakshmangarh, Alwar district of Rajasthan, had been pursuing an MBBS degree at Bashkir State Medical University since 2023.

According to reports, Ajit was last seen on October 19, when he left his hostel around 11 a.m. to buy milk but never returned. After extensive search efforts, his body was recovered from a dam adjoining the White River on Thursday.

Local authorities have yet to release an official statement, but Alwar Saras Dairy Chairman Nitin Sangwan confirmed the discovery. He stated that the young man’s clothes, phone, and shoes were found earlier near the riverbank, raising suspicions of foul play.

The Indian Embassy in Russia has informed Ajit’s family about his death, though no official comment has been issued so far.

Former Union Minister Jitendra Singh Alwar expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it “a heartbreaking moment” for the community. He highlighted that Ajit’s family had sent him abroad by pooling their limited resources and demanded a thorough investigation into the “suspicious circumstances” surrounding his death.

He also urged External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to ensure the student’s remains are brought back to India without further delay. “The incident must be investigated seriously, and the family should not have to make repeated requests for assistance,” Singh said in a post on X.

The All India Medical Students’ Association (AIMSA) Foreign Students Wing also reached out to the minister regarding the case. The association confirmed that Ajit’s fellow students at the university have identified the recovered body.

As of now, Bashkir State Medical University has not issued any official statement regarding the student’s death.