‘His parents sold land to send him there’: Rajasthan youth pursuing MBBS in Russia found dead inside dam, 19 days after he went missing
The body was found on November 6, and the college and the Ministry of External Affairs informed the family, Ajit’s uncle Rajendra Singh told The Indian Express.
Written by Parul Kulshrestha
Jaipur | Updated: November 8, 2025 03:28 AM IST
3 min read
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Ajit, son of Roop Singh Chaudhary, had been pursuing medical studies at Bashkir State Medical University since 2023. (Source: FB)
The body of a 22-year-old Rajasthan MBBS student studying in Russia was recovered this week from a dam near Ufa – about 1,151 km east of Moscow – 19 days after he went missing, raising suspicions of foul play.
Ajit, son of Roop Singh Chaudhary, had been pursuing medical studies at Bashkir State Medical University since 2023. According to reports, he was last seen leaving his hostel around 11 a.m. on October 19 to buy milk, telling others he would return in half an hour. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of him was found until now.
The body was found on November 6, and the college and the Ministry of External Affairs informed the family, Ajit’s uncle Rajendra Singh told The Indian Express.
The family now waits for a Russian medical board to conduct an autopsy – an exercise that’s expected to take 2-3 days.
“We are now waiting for more information. We don’t know when the postmortem will be conducted or when we’ll get our child’s body back. His parents, who sold three bighas of land to send him to Russia, are heartbroken,” he said,
Alwar Saras Dairy Chairman Nitin Sagwan, who accompanied the family to meet Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, said Chaudhary’s body was found in a dam adjacent to the White River and was identified by other Indian students studying with him.
“The family has been told that the Ministry of External Affairs is now coordinating with the Indian Embassy in Russia and the Russian administration to expedite the process of repatriating his remains,” Sagwan said, adding that the ministry had spoken with officials at the Russian Embassy.
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Former Union Minister and Congress leader Jitendra Singh ‘Alwar’ sought the Centre’s intervention to bring the body back and demanded a probe.
“The news of Ajit’s body being found in the river today is deeply shocking. This is a moment of great grief for the Alwar family; we have lost a promising child under suspicious circumstances,” he said.
He further said: “The Government of India and the Minister of External Affairs @DrSJaishankar are requested to bring Ajit’s body to India immediately. The child has suffered an unfortunate incident under suspicious circumstances; this should be investigated with utmost seriousness. The family should not have to make any further rounds of your offices.”
Parul Kulshrestha is a Principal Correspondent for The Indian Express, based in Rajasthan. A lawyer turned journalist, she brings a unique cross-disciplinary perspective to her reporting, blending legal precision with deep social inquiry to cover one of India's most culturally and politically vibrant regions.
Expertise and Experience
Legal-Journalistic Synergy: Parul’s transition from a legal background to mainstream journalism provides her with a distinct advantage in interpreting policy, legislation, and judicial impacts. This expertise allows her to "read between the lines" of government orders and court rulings affecting the public.
Diverse Beat: With years of experience across both mainstream newsrooms and independent journalism, she has built high-level authority in several critical areas:
Nomadic Tribes & Marginalized Communities: She is recognized for her sensitive and in-depth reporting on the struggles and rights of Rajasthan's nomadic populations, often giving a voice to those outside the traditional political spotlight.
Gender & Social Justice: Parul focuses on the intersection of law and gender, covering issues ranging from women’s safety and reproductive rights to the socio-economic empowerment of rural women.
Environmental & Political Reporting: She tracks Rajasthan’s complex political landscape—including electoral shifts and bureaucratic changes—alongside critical environmental concerns like water scarcity and land use.
Academic & Professional Pedigree: Her background as a lawyer, combined with her rise to the rank of Principal Correspondent at a national broadsheet, establishes her as a senior voice in the media landscape. ... Read More