Indian Student Arrested in Germany Over Alleged Murder of Girlfriend in US

A 20-year-old Indian student, Varun Batchigari, has been arrested in Germany after allegedly killing his 19-year-old American girlfriend in Tucson, Arizona, and attempting to flee to India. Batchigari, who had been a Business Analytics student at the University of Arizona, is accused of strangling his girlfriend, Julissa Ruby Salazar, on August 6. After the alleged killing, he reportedly boarded a flight to Germany as part of an attempt to travel onward to India. However, German authorities detained him upon his arrival. According to the Tucson Police Department (TPD), Batchigari allegedly took Salazar’s mobile phone and credit card after the killing. He is also accused of impersonating Salazar and sending messages to her mother from her phone in an apparent attempt to conceal the crime. The family reportedly became suspicious of the messages because of their language and provided them to police. When a Tucson Fire Department team later reached the apartment, Salazar was found dead with a blanket covering her up to the neck. Police also observed signs of strangulation on her neck. After the case came to light, Tucson police obtained an arrest warrant from a court against Batchigari on charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping. Tucson police, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Legal Attaché Office in Berlin then coordinated their efforts. As a result, Batchigari was taken into custody at the airport in Germany, preventing him from continuing his alleged journey to India. The investigation has also indicated that Salazar was reportedly distressed by Batchigari’s violent behaviour and wanted to end their relationship. Batchigari is said to have a previous record involving physical assault and had also been expelled from the university. In addition, another woman had allegedly made serious sexual abuse allegations against him. Batchigari is currently in German custody. Proceedings are underway to deport him to Arizona in the United States, where he is wanted in connection with the case.