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An administrative step is currently underway to return the body of an Indian international student to her family after a fatal collision on a major Birmingham ring road.
Anisha Chakraborty, a 28-year-old student at Aston University, died from her injuries in the early hours of Saturday, May 30, after being struck by a black Audi RS Q8 on Dartmouth Middleway. The location of the incident, situated between Jennens Road and Great Lister Street near the Aston University campus, resulted in an extended road closure while forensic collision investigators processed the scene.
A 22-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing death by dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of drugs. Police have since confirmed he has been released on bail pending further inquiries. Because the criminal investigation remains active and no formal charges have been finalized, details regarding the suspect's identity or specific background remain strictly protected under British legal guidelines to avoid contempt of court.
A Community in Mourning
Beyond her academic life at Aston University, where she had also engaged with the Aston Students' Union as an incoming student officer, Chakraborty worked part-time at the Jimmy Spice’s buffet restaurant on Broad Street. For many international students living in the West Midlands, such employment provides an essential financial foundation while navigating higher education far from home.
The sudden loss has deeply affected her colleagues. Her restaurant manager, Shefali Karulkar, recounted the difficult moment the team learned of the tragedy.
"At the end of the day, I told everyone and broke the news. We had time to mourn and we prayed for her. We were devastated and thought of ways to help Anisha," Karulkar told a journalist. "I spoke to her father and her sister-in-law who aren't in the country, it's difficult for them to get over and not that easy."
Next Steps: Repatriation and Appeals
As reported by Daily Dazzling Dawn, the immediate focus for Chakraborty’s peers has shifted toward practical assistance. Because her immediate family resides in India, navigating the international logistics of repatriation introduces significant financial and administrative challenges. Karulkar has initiated an appeal to secure the funds necessary to cover the funeral costs and transport her body back to her homeland.
Concurrently, West Midlands Police are advancing their investigation. Detectives from the Special Collision Investigation Unit (SCIU) are focusing heavily on gathering physical and digital evidence to construct an accurate timeline of the high-powered vehicle's movements prior to 2:30 am.
A West Midlands Police spokesperson issued an appeal for public assistance: "We are appealing for anyone who was in the area who may have witnessed the collision, or any drivers who may have dash cam footage, to get in touch with us. You can get in touch with us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101 quoting log 460 of May 30. You can also contact the SCIU team by emailing sciu@westmidlands.police.uk."
