US embassy grants visa to family of comatose Indian student Neelam Shinde

Neelam Shinde

The United States embassy has granted an emergency visa on Friday to the family of the Indian student, Neelam Shinde, who went into a coma after a serious road accident in California.

The father and brother of Neelam (35) have been granted the visa after both attended an interview at Mumbai's US Consulate Office. The father informed that they will be leaving for the US on Saturday.

Neelam was struck by a speeding vehicle while she was taking a walk in Sacramento. She suffered severe fractures to both legs, her left arm and skull, besides a traumatic brain injury that left her comatose.

Doctors at UC Davis Medical Centre said Nilam's chances of recovery might improve with her father by her side, which would also aid in making crucial medical decisions.

"She sustained major injuries. The central government and state government did a good job, and we have now got the Visa. Earlier, we were trying to book a slot (at the US Consulate) via agents, but the government intervened and we got the visa with their help. However, we request the Indian government that the process of Emergency Visa should be eased," the maternal uncle of Nilam Shinde, Sanjay Kadam told news agency ANI.

The US police have arrested the accused who hit Neelam Shinde with his car in San Francisco, California, NDTV reported. The Sacramento police department informed that Lawrence Gallows (58) had been arrested after his vehicle crashed into Shinde on February 14 on Fair Oaks Boulevard.

On Thursday, the Indian consulate in San Francisco posted an update on X on the Nilam Shinde case, extending its support to her family. In the statement, the consulate expressed its "sympathy and solidarity" with Shinde's family and assured that it has been in constant touch with the hospital, her family, and friends.

"We have been rendering all possible assistance and will continue to remain engaged to support her and the family," the post read.