Hyderabad: The investigation into the disappearance of Hyderabad student Gujja Manideep Reddy in Finland has been transferred to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI), Finland’s premier investigating agency, the Centre informed Telangana high court on Thursday.The development comes nearly two months after the 24-year-old student went missing, prompting his parents to approach the court alleging inadequate action by Finnish authorities.The submission was made before Justice B Vijaysen Reddy while hearing a petition filed by Manideep’s parents seeking intervention in the case.During the hearing, the family also urged the court to direct the authorities to expedite visas for Manideep’s parents so they can travel to Finland and pursue the case personally. They further sought assistance from the Indian Embassy, including the appointment of an officer to coordinate and support the family. The court adjourned the matter by 10 days for further hearing.A resident of Hayathnagar, Manideep was pursuing higher studies at LUT University in Lahti, Finland. He was staying with friends and went missing on May 4, shortly after speaking to his mother, Gujja Marnatha, for the last time.Appearing for the Centre, standing counsel NVR Rajya Lakshmi submitted details of the investigation conducted so far and informed the court that a nodal officer had been appointed. The officer has been in constant touch with the family and has been regularly sharing updates on the progress of the investigation.KLN Kumar, counsel for the petitioners, urged the court to direct the ministry of external affairs, the Embassy of India in Finland and authorities concerned to take all necessary steps to facilitate and permit Manideep’s parents to travel to Finland.“We further urge diplomatic and consular support and communicating with the Finnish authorities and the embassy regarding the urgency and exceptional humanitarian circumstances arising out of Manideep’s missing, more especially in the interests of justice and the circumstances of the case,” argued Kumar.
