Ahmedabad MBBS student missing in Georgia, family appeals to PMO

Ahmedabad: An MBBS student from Ahmedabad studying at Caucasus International University in Georgia has been missing for the past 10 days under mysterious circumstances.

According to his family, the student had allegedly been facing severe mental harassment from his landlord and certain other individuals. He was scheduled to board a flight back to Ahmedabad, but has remained untraceable since May 14.

Distressed over their son's disappearance, the family has approached the local police in Georgia and the Indian Embassy for assistance. They have also urged the Central Government and the Prime Minister's Office to intervene and help trace him at the earliest.

The missing student hails from Ahmedabad's Viratnagar area. He had initially gone to Ukraine to pursue medical studies. However, after the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war, he returned to India and later shifted to Georgia nearly four years ago to continue his medical education. He was studying MBBS and was in the ninth semester at Caucasus International University.

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According to the family, the student last spoke to his parents on May 14. During the conversation, he allegedly informed them that he was being mentally harassed and threatened by the landlord, and certain individuals associated with the rented accommodation where he had been staying. Following the alleged harassment, he moved to another flat.

The family claimed that he had shifted part of his belongings to the new accommodation and planned to return to Ahmedabad after the situation worsened. They alleged that he was threatened with death and pressured to pay money by the landlord, his girlfriend and another person named.

His family said that when their son went to the landlord's room to collect some of his belongings, he was allegedly confined inside the room and pressured to pay money. The family claimed that the student paid the amount demanded by him, after which he was allegedly told to return to Ahmedabad.

They said that his ticket to Ahmedabad had also been booked and that on the morning of May 14, he left for the airport carrying his passport to board a flight to India. However, soon after that, his phone suddenly became unreachable.

Now, his family fears that the landlord and his girlfriend may have prevented him from returning to Ahmedabad. After remaining unable to contact their son for the past 10 days, the distraught family approached Ahmedabad MP Dinesh Makwana and submitted a representation seeking help.

Speaking to Dainik Bhaskar, the student's father alleged, "My son had been staying in Georgia for the past two years, but my son's phone suddenly became unreachable after 1.30 pm on May 14. We have since been unable to establish any contact with him. He was pursuing studies at Caucasus Medical International University and was living in a rented flat in Tbilisi. The people from whom the flat had been rented were mentally harassing my son."

He further stated, "Although my son later shifted to another flat to escape the harassment, the alleged mental pressure continued even afterwards. My son had shifted half the belongings to another flat the previous day. But after that, *** started threatening him. Threats were made saying, 'We have found out where you are going to the new place, so we will come there and kill you. He was also threatened with death through messages. After which *** demanded money from my son”.

He added, "My son went there to give money, to collect belongings and to return the key of the rented flat. There, too, he was mentally harassed. So finally, fed up, my son called me. He told me that despite giving money, he was being harassed. 

He said, "We have immediately informed the Indian embassy and the university authorities about the matter. Our other son has also travelled to Georgia to search for him." However, the family alleged that they had not received proper cooperation or support from the local police authorities there.

"We do not know what has happened to our son or where he is. The police are not giving us any clear answers," he said while appealing to both the Gujarat government and the Government of India to intervene and help bring their son back safely. 

He further alleged, "The flat owner appeared to have a similar pattern of behaviour in the past as well. Another girl had earlier stayed at the same flat and was allegedly harassed and extorted for money by the same people, after which she reportedly left Georgia and returned to India”.

His mother, while crying, said, "I am only requesting the government to make a representation to the Georgian government. Our only demand is that my son be brought back quickly. My son was a scholar student who worked very hard. My son was supposed to return in September after completing his medical degree. I humbly request that the Gujarat government bring my son back as quickly as possible. I don't want anything else now."

Regarding the matter, Ahmedabad West MP Dinesh Makwana said, “His father met me regarding the disappearance of his son, who had gone to Georgia to pursue MBBS studies. The family suspects that something may have happened to their son while he was speaking on the phone. After receiving details of the incident, an email was immediately sent to the Ministry of External Affairs seeking urgent intervention. Further discussions would be held on Monday (May 25), and all possible efforts would be made to ensure *** safe return at the earliest. We are ready to extend every possible assistance required to the family."

Expressing deep concern over the incident, Federation of All India Medical Association (FAIMA) Dr Mohammad Momin Khan has urged the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to immediately coordinate with the Indian Embassy in Georgia to locate the missing student at the earliest.

In his statement, Dr Khan said that the safety and security of Indian students studying abroad must remain a top priority. He emphasised that every possible effort should be made through diplomatic channels, local law enforcement agencies, and emergency response systems to trace the whereabouts of the student and ensure his safe return.

FAIMA stated that the organisation stands firmly with the family of the missing student during this difficult time and appealed to the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Embassy in Georgia, and local authorities in Tbilisi to intensify search and coordination efforts without delay.

The association further noted that incidents involving Indian students abroad require swift international coordination and continuous communication with the affected family. Dr Mohammad Momin Khan also appealed to Indian students studying in foreign countries to remain connected with local authorities, maintain regular communication with friends and family, and immediately report any emergency situations.

FAIMA has requested that the Ministry of External Affairs provide regular updates regarding the progress of the investigation and ensure that all necessary support is extended to the family of the missing student.

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