The Metropolitan Police in the UK is seeking information to piece together the last movements of Gurashman Singh Bhatia, a missing Indian student whose body was discovered by police divers in a lake in the Canary Wharf area of east London. Bhatia, a 23-year-old pursuing an MSc in Digital Finance at Loughborough University, had been reported missing after a night out with friends on December 14.
The police conducted extensive inquiries, including reviewing CCTV footage, speaking to witnesses, and analyzing phone and financial data. Water searches in the area led to the recovery of a body believed to be that of Bhatia in the water in South Quay. While there is no indication of suspicious circumstances, Detective Chief Superintendent James Conway emphasized the need for a thorough investigation to confirm this.
The police released a CCTV image of Gurashman taken before his disappearance, urging anyone who may have seen him in the Marsh Wall area on the evening of December 14 and the early hours of December 15 to come forward. Conway expressed condolences to Gurashman’s family and friends, acknowledging the tragic outcome of the missing persons inquiry.
Formal identification is pending, but Gurashman’s family has been informed. The police encouraged anyone with information about Gurashman’s movements to contact them at 101, quoting the reference CAD5787/15Dec.
The Indian student community in the UK had initiated widespread social media appeals after Gurashman was reported missing. Sanam Arora, Chair of the National Indian Students and Alumni Union (NISAU) UK, expressed deep sadness over the loss and called for prayers for the departed soul. BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa also conveyed condolences, highlighting the profound loss for Gurashman’s family and friends.
Gurashman Singh Bhatia’s case was brought to the attention of External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. His death is considered unexpected, and the investigation aims to provide clarity on the circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.