Indian Student in Coma in US Hospital After Being Knocked Down in a Hit-and-Run Case, Parents Seek Medical Emergency Visa

California: Neelam Shinde, an Indian student in the United States is battling for her life and is in a coma in a California hospital after she was knocked down by a four-wheeler while walking on a road ten days ago. The Indian student's parents are seeking a medical emergency visa to reach their daughter and take care of her; a case against the driver will also be filed only after a blood relative arrives.

US Hit-and-Run Case: Indian Student in Coma in California Hospital

Neelam Shinde, a 35-year-old woman from Umbraj village of Satara in Maharashtra is battling for her life after a serious accident. The Indian student was struck by a car while walking on the road on February 14; it was a case of hit-and-run and the driver behind the wheel has been taken into police custody. However, the police cannot file a case against the driver till a blood relative of the victim arrives and the parents of the Indian student are unable to secure a visa. 

Also Read: 28-Year-Old Indian Student Dies in Road Accident in US

Neelam Shinde is a final year MS student and has been admitted to UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. The Indian student in the US, who is being looked after her roommate from Maharashtra, has suffered severe injuries in her arms, legs, and head. Neelam has had a critical injury in her chest which is why she is in a coma. 

Neelam Shinde's Parents Seek Medical Emergency Visa, No Progress So Far

Neelam's parents are seeking a medical emergency visa to visit their daughter, file a case against the driver who knocked her down in the tragic accident and also tend to her as she fights for her life and receives treatment in the hospital's intensive care unit (ICU). The victim's parents have made several efforts to secure the visa, and the hospital where Shinde is admitted has also issued a letter in their support. 

The letter by the UC Davis Medical Center reads, “Nilam Shinde was admitted to UC Davis Medical Center, 2315 Stockton Boulevard, Sacramento, California, 95817 on 2/14/2025 and remains in ICU level care, in critical condition and with uncertain prognosis. It is requested that this patient's father and uncle be available to come to the United States to visit Nilam Shinde due to their medical condition. This patient's father must assist us with making this patient's medical decisions while she intubated, and her uncle is needed to assist this patient's father with his travels. Uncle is also assisting us with making this patient's medical decisions.”

Also Read: How Trump's 'Gold Card' Could Help Indian Students In US

However, despite taking help from Union Minister Murli Mohol, former Co-operation Minister Balasaheb Patil, and ex-MP Srinivas Patil and visiting the passport and visa office in Mumbai's Kurla, Neelam's parents are unable to secure the necessary visa.

NCP-SP leader Supriya Sule has also sought the help of the Indian Embassy in the US and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar via ‘X’ (formerly known as Twitter). Tagging them, Supriya Sule has written in a post about how the Indian student Neelam Shinde has met with an accident in the US, is hospitalised and is undergoing treatment. Sule has brought to the EAM's notice that the victim's father from Satara, Tanaji Shinde seeks an urgent visa to the US to visit his daughter and requires immediate help.