Missing case takes new turn: PhD student found abroad, Friend in custody

Team Udayavani, Mar 3, 2024, 8:34 AM IST

Image for representation

The missing case of Chaitra, a Ph.D. research student from a private college in Deralakatte, has unfolded into a startling revelation with Chaitra confirmed to have left the country.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh, a close friend of Chaitra, has been apprehended by police in Madhya Pradesh and is currently under investigation.

Chaitra through the Indian embassy informed the Mangaluru Commissioner that she left the country voluntarily.

Case details:

The sequence of events began in February when Chaitra departed her rented residence in Madoor on a scooter, leaving the scooter in Suratkal before disappearing. Initially treated as a routine missing persons case, the investigation took a dramatic turn when Hindu organizations alleged the involvement of an interfaith drug peddler.

The police, initially misled by Chaitra’s mobile location indicating a trip to Bengaluru, later discovered CCTV footage showing her disembarking from a bus at Majestic station, leading to a concentrated search effort in Bengaluru.

Subsequently, Shah Rukh was detained in Madhya Pradesh based on information suggesting he had facilitated Chaitra’s overseas journey.

It was revealed that Chaitra and Shah Rukh went to Goa and subsequently reached Madhya Pradesh and stayed at Shah Rukh’s friend’s house there. From there, arrangements were made for Chaitra to travel to Qatar from Delhi.

Shah Rukh, unable to leave the country due to legal restrictions stemming from his arrest, returned to his friend’s residence in Madhya Pradesh after escorting Chaitra to Delhi.

It has been confirmed through sources that Chaitra is presently in Qatar, where she has voluntarily informed the authorities of her departure.

With Saturday and Sunday being non-working days, it is anticipated that she will visit the Indian Embassy on Monday to provide a formal statement to the Mangaluru Police Commissioner regarding her decision to leave.

Further investigations are ongoing following the registration of a case at the Ullal Police Station.