Kerala student in Uzbekistan killed by classmate; family alleges conversion bid

A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala was allegedly killed by her classmate in Uzbekistan after an argument. Her family has sought a probe by local police, alleging a brutal assault and pressure to convert.

In Short

• Family says investigators in Uzbekistan found injury marks all over Savariya's body
• Students allegedly told investigators the accused had pressured her to convert
• Police in Kerala register murder case, Savariya's body sent for second autopsy

A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala died after a classmate assaulted her during a heated argument in Uzbekistan. Her family has now alleged that the attack was far more brutal than initially reported and raised questions over the motive behind the killing.

Savariya Basant was allegedly killed by her classmate, Sadarul Anam, who hails from Malappuram district in Kerala. According to the family, the accused struck her on the head during an argument, causing her death.

After bringing Savariya's body back to Kerala, her family approached the Alappuzha police, seeking a fresh investigation. Janeesh, Savariya's uncle, said an investigating officer in Uzbekistan told him the victim had injuries all over her body, suggesting she had been subjected to a prolonged assault.

"There were injury marks from head to toe on her body. It was not like he killed her in one minute with a laptop. The investigating officer told me it was done brutally," Janeesh said.

He said the investigating officer also told him that some students had informed investigators the accused had allegedly been pressuring Savariya to convert before the incident.

"She [Investigating officer] also said that in her investigation, some of the students told her that the accused pressured her for religious conversion and some students even saw that. But Savariya did not agree... This was also communicated to the embassy officer who came there," he said.

He also described the hostel arrangements at the medical college, saying male and female students stayed in the same building but on separate floors.

"We really don't know what the motive was behind the murder, but she was brutally attacked. There is no place on her body where there is no injury," Janeesh said.

Police registered a murder case on Wednesday based on the family's complaint. A second post-mortem examination was conducted at the local hospital.

The family is demanding that the investigation be carried out in Kerala and that the accused be extradited from Uzbekistan to face legal proceedings in India.

- Ends