Maharashtra student in coma: India reaches out to US after family seeks urgent visa

Neelam Shinde has met with an accident in the USA and is hospitalised in a local hospital.

After the family members of the Indian student who has been in a coma following a road accident in California requested the Centre's help to get a visa to meet her, India has contacted the United States for a visa, or an emergency travel permit, according to NDTV.

Neelam Shinde (35), a resident of Maharashtra's Satara district, was allegedly hit by a four-wheeler on February 14 in California and is currently in the ICU of a hospital. The police have arrested the driver.

"We got to know about the accident on February 16 and have been trying for a visa since then. But we haven't got it yet," her father, Tanaji Shinde, told NDTV.

NCP (SP) MP Supriya Sule sought External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's help to get Shinde a visa. “Student Neelam Shinde has met with an accident in the USA and is hospitalized in a local hospital. Her father, Tanaji Shinde, from Satara, Maharashtra, India, urgently needs to visit his daughter due to a medical emergency. Tanaji Shinde has applied for an urgent visa to the USA and requires assistance. Requesting Hon.@DrSJaishankar Ji, @meaMADAD, and @IndianEmbassyUS to kindly look into the matter and help,” Sule posted on X.

Student Neelam Shinde has met with an accident in the USA and is hospitalized in a local hospital. Her father, Tanaji Shinde, from Satara, Maharashtra, India, urgently needs to visit his daughter due to a medical emergency. Tanaji Shinde has applied for an urgent visa to the USA

Supriya Sule (@supriya_sule) February 26, 2025

Her uncle, Sanjay Kadam, told NDTV, the police admitted her to the hospital and her roommates informed the family on February 16.

"They (the hospital administration) took our permission to operate on her brain. She is in a coma right now and we need to be there," he said, adding that the hospital has been giving her health updates daily.

Kadam said that they have been attempting to book slots for visas at the passport office, however, they aren’t able to as the next available slot is for 2026, NDTV reported.