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

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

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, March 3, 2024: The mysterious disappearance of Chaitra, a Ph.D. research student from a private college in Deralakatte, has taken a surprising turn as it’s now revealed that she has left the country.

Meanwhile, Shah Rukh, a close friend of Chaitra, has been detained by police in Madhya Pradesh and is presently under scrutiny. Chaitra communicated through the Indian embassy that she left voluntarily to the Mangaluru Commissioner.

Chaitra departed her rented residence in Madoor on a scooter on February 17, abandoning the scooter in Surathkal before vanishing. Initially treated as a routine missing person case, police ramped up their investigation when Hindu organizations alleged a connection to a foreign drug peddler in Chaitra’s disappearance.

Initially misled by Chaitra’s mobile signal suggesting a trip to Bengaluru, police later unearthed CCTV footage revealing her disembarking from a bus at Majestic station, prompting a focused search effort in Bengaluru.

It was disclosed that Chaitra and Shah Rukh journeyed to Goa and later arrived in Madhya Pradesh, lodging at Shah Rukh’s friend’s place. From there, arrangements were made for Chaitra’s journey to Qatar via Delhi.

Shah Rukh, constrained by legal restrictions due to his arrest, returned to his friend’s abode in Madhya Pradesh after seeing Chaitra off to Delhi.

Sources have confirmed that Chaitra is currently in Qatar, where she has voluntarily notified authorities of her departure.

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

Ongoing investigations continue following the case’s registration at the Ullal Police Station.