Published Jul 11, 2026 | 12:25 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 11, 2026 | 12:25 PM
Sadarul Anam is in Uzbekistan police custody for allegedly murdering Savariya Basanth.
Synopsis: Meanwhile, the re-post-mortem conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital has, in its preliminary assessment, confirmed the findings of the initial autopsy in Uzbekistan that Savariya died due to a serious head injury accompanied by bleeding and clotting in the brain.
The State Crime Branch will investigate the death of 21-year-old Malayali MBBS student Savariya Basanth in Uzbekistan, even as the initial findings of the re-post-mortem conducted in Kerala have reinforced suspicions that she died from a severe head injury sustained during a brutal assault.
She was allegedly murdered by a fellow Kerala student in Uzbekistan, and was subjected to severe assault before her death, her family has claimed. They also alleged that the accused, Sadarul Anam, had repeatedly put pressure on her to convert to another religion, citing statements reportedly given by fellow students to investigators.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who visited Savariya’s residence in Haripad on Friday, 10 July, evening, announced that the investigation has been handed over to the Crime Branch.
He said the State Crime Branch ADGP H. Venkatesh has ordered an immediate probe and entrusted the investigation to a senior officer.
The move follows a State Police Chief circular mandating that cases involving crimes committed against Indian citizens abroad be investigated by the State Crime Branch.
“The girl was brutally murdered. We will ensure that the accused receives the maximum punishment possible,” the minister said, adding that while the crime occurred outside India and limits the jurisdiction of the local police, the state would pursue every available legal avenue.
Meanwhile, the re-post-mortem conducted at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital has, in its preliminary assessment, confirmed the findings of the initial autopsy in Uzbekistan that Savariya died due to a serious head injury accompanied by bleeding and clotting in the brain.
The final forensic report from Uzbekistan is expected to be shared with the Indian Embassy within about 20 days.
At the same time, the accused, her classmate, Sadarul Anam, a native of Perinthalmanna in Kerala, has been arrested by Uzbek authorities and remains in police custody there.
Officials said the accused reportedly took the injured student to a hospital, where she underwent emergency neurosurgery but could not be saved.
A team of forensic experts carried out the examination after her body was brought back to Kerala on Thursday, 9 July. Around 150 photographs were taken during the procedure, which was fully video graphed. The detailed report is expected to be handed over to the police on Tuesday, 14 July.
Doctors found two injuries on the head along with bruises spread across almost the entire body.
There were black and blue marks from the face to the feet, injuries on the legs, and bruising on the chest, which is suspected to have been caused by kicks. The findings have strengthened suspicions that the assault was far more brutal than initially believed.
Doctors in Uzbekistan had earlier noted multiple injuries across her body, including visible bite marks. While these injuries were not considered the direct cause of death, they are regarded as significant evidence of the physical abuse she allegedly endured before her death.
Medical experts, however, are yet to determine exactly how the skull injuries were inflicted or what weapon was used.
Although reports had suggested that Savariya was struck on the head with a laptop, her relatives said no official confirmation regarding the weapon had been communicated to them.
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(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
