Haripad: The death of a 22-year-old medical student from Kerala in Uzbekistan has taken a communal turn after her family alleged that she was targeted for refusing to convert to Islam.

Savariya Basanth, a first-year student at Bukhara State Medical Institute, was allegedly beaten to death by her classmate, Sadarul Anam. Initial reports from Uzbekistan said the assault followed a heated argument. However, her family in Haripad has made fresh allegations of religious targeting.

Savariya's uncle, Janeesh, who travelled to Uzbekistan to bring back her mortal remains, claimed that the accused had repeatedly pressured her to change her religion. According to the family, she was subjected to torture because she refused to convert to Islam.

The allegations have gained traction on social media, with several pro-right-wing users describing the incident as a real-life "Kerala Story" ( narrative of forced religious conversions and terrorism) unfolding overseas.

Second post-mortem finds multiple injuries

A second post-mortem conducted at Alappuzha Government Medical College Hospital confirmed that Savariya died of a severe head injury.

Doctors also recorded multiple other injuries on her body, including bite marks and several wounds.

The family has argued that the injuries point to a prolonged and brutal assault rather than a single blow from a laptop, which was the initial explanation given by authorities in Uzbekistan.

"The injuries suggest severe assault," the family said in its complaint to the District Police Chief.

As part of the examination, medical experts in Kerala documented the findings by collecting 150 photographs and video-recording the entire re-post-mortem process to support further investigation.

Kerala Crime Branch to investigate

The Kerala government has stepped in following the family's allegations.

Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala visited Savariya's residence at Pallippad to offer condolences and meet her parents. After the meeting, he announced that the State Crime Branch would take over the investigation from the local police.

Chennithala said the incident took place outside India, limiting the ability of local police to carry out a field investigation in Uzbekistan. He directed ADGP H. Venkatesh to begin the Crime Branch probe without delay.

"The girl was murdered in an extremely cruel manner," the minister said, adding that the government would take strict steps to ensure the accused received the maximum punishment.

The accused remains in the custody of Uzbek authorities.