Kerala Medical Student Killed in Uzbekistan Over Conversion Claims

A 21-year-old medical student from Kerala was murdered in Uzbekistan by a classmate following alleged attempts to force her religious conversion.

Sawariya Basanth was a freshman at the Bukhara State Medical Institute. Authorities arrested 22-year-old Sadarul Anam, a fellow student from Kerala’s Malappuram district, in connection with her death.

Following the repatriation of Basanth’s body, Indian authorities conducted a second post-mortem on Thursday at the Alappuzha Medical College hospital at the request of her family. Relatives subsequently cremated her remains.

Harippad Police registered a local murder case based on a complaint from the victim’s father. Station House Officer V. Vishnu confirmed the initial post-mortem indicated signs of physical assault.

«We are yet to get official details of the crime from law enforcement agencies in Uzbekistan,» Vishnu said. «We will examine the legal standing of the case registered in Kerala for the crime recorded in Uzbekistan.»

Embassy is extending all assistance to the family of deceased Ms Sawariya Basanth including on the repatriation of her mortal remains. Today, Ambassador met her family member. Embassy is also in constant touch with the concerned authorities in Uzbekistan.

— India in Uzbekistan (@amb_tashkent) July 7, 2026

A relative of the victim told journalists that Anam repeatedly assaulted Basanth after she resisted his demands to convert. According to the family’s police complaint, classmates were aware of the ongoing harassment and pressure to change her religion.

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