What began as a desperate search filled with hope has ended in unimaginable heartbreak for a Hyderabad family. Eighteen-year-old Manideep Reddy Gujja, who went missing in Finland over two months ago, has been officially declared dead by Finland's National Bureau of Investigation (NBI). While Finnish authorities say there is no evidence of foul play, his grieving family refuses to believe that the tragedy was merely an accident and is demanding an independent investigation.
Manideep, a student at Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology, disappeared on May 4, triggering an extensive search. On July 9, the family received the devastating news that an unidentified body recovered from the sea near the area where he was last seen had been identified as Manideep through fingerprint analysis and his Finnish identity card. Authorities also informed the family that his wallet, containing his mother's credit card and about ₹500 in Indian currency, had been recovered.
The mystery surrounding his final days has only deepened the family's anguish. Just before he vanished, Manideep had called his mother requesting ₹6,000. Although the money was transferred immediately, it remained untouched. Investigators were also unable to trace his movements after he travelled nearly 100 kilometres away from his accommodation. While a forensic autopsy has been ordered to determine the exact cause of death, the family says too many questions remain unanswered. They have appealed to India's Ministry of External Affairs to intervene and ensure a thorough investigation, hoping the truth behind the young student's tragic death will finally come to light.
