Telangana woman goes missing at Istanbul airport, govt seeks Consulate help

The Telangana government has requested the Indian Consulate General in Turkey to trace Bokka Rajashree, a young woman from Medchal-Malkajgiri district who went missing during transit at Istanbul Airport while returning from the US. Rajashree, who had opted for wheelchair assistance, failed to board her connecting flight to Muscat.

Hyderabad: The Telangana government on Thursday urged the Indian Consulate General in Turkey to trace a young woman from Telangana, who reportedly went missing during transit at Istanbul Airport in Turkey.

Bokka Rajashree, hailing from Medchal Malakjgiri district of Telangana, was travelling to Hyderabad from Houston in the US.

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Telangana Chief Secretary K. Ramakrishna Rao sent a message to the Consulate General that the missing woman was scheduled to travel from Houston to Istanbul on Turkish Airlines flight TK-34, which landed at Istanbul at 4.46 p.m. on June 14.

The missing woman was scheduled to board connecting flight of Turkish Airlines TK-774 to Muscat at 6:30 p.m. on June 14.

The woman’s family members came to know that she did not board the flight to Muscat and her tickets show that she opted for wheelchair assistance.

The woman’s family did not receive any information about her luggage or whereabouts from the airport or airline authorities.

The communication mentions that Rajashree went to the US in 2022 to pursue her Master of Science degree studies. She has been depressed ever since her father passed away.

The Chief Secretary wrote that the woman’s family is worried about her safety and security and has requested for assistance from the state government.

He shared the contact numbers of Rajashree, his known persons in the US, and her family members in Telangana.

The state government requested the Consulate General to take necessary steps to coordinate with local police, airport and airlines authorities to trace the whereabouts of Rajashree in Istanbul.

According to Rajashree’s mother Dudipala Jyothi, Rajashree’s mobile phone has been switched off. She had messaged her mother before boarding the flight at Houston.

Meanwhile, Congress MP Kiran Kumar Chamala posted on social media platform X that he is deeply concerned about the case of Rajashree.

The Congress MP said that he has taken up the matter with the concerned authorities.

Chamala, the MP from Bhongir, added that he is personally coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian Consulate General in Istanbul, and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ascertain the missing woman’s whereabouts and ensure all possible assistance is extended.

“Every possible effort is being made through official and diplomatic channels to gather information regarding her travel status and well-being. I am closely monitoring developments and remain in constant touch with the concerned authorities,” he said.