Kerala medical student killed over 'forced conversion' claims in Uzbekistan
A 21-year-old Indian medical student was murdered in Uzbekistan, allegedly by a classmate who pressured her to convert her religion. Indian authorities are coordinating with Uzbek officials to investigate the case and have conducted a second post-mortem in Kerala.
Why it matters
The case highlights the complexities of international legal jurisdiction and the safety of students studying abroad in foreign medical programs.
NEW DELHI: A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala was murdered in Uzbekistan by a fellow student following repeated attempts to force her to convert her religion, according to her family's complaint.Sawariya Basanth, a first-year student at the Bukhara State Medical Institute, was allegedly killed by 22-year-old Sadarul Anam, also a student from Kerala's Malappuram district. Uzbek authorities have arrested Anam in connection with the case, local media reported. Following the repatriation of Basanth's body, Indian authorities conducted a second post-mortem at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital on Thursday at the request of her family. Her relatives later performed her last rites.Harippad Police in Kerala have registered a murder case based on a complaint filed by the victim's father.Station House Officer V Vishnu said the preliminary post-mortem findings indicated signs of physical assault."We are yet to get official details of the crime from law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan.
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