Agra: Police have launched a search for the daughter of a US-based NRI , who went missing from the Dayalbagh Educational Institute (DEI) here. The 19-year-old had been allegedly sent to the institution by her parents to be “reformed” and to get Indian values after they discovered she was a lesbian , according to police officials.

The father of the girl, a researcher based in the US, had sent her to the deemed university, of the Radha Soami Satsang, known for its strict discipline, emphasis on satsangs and inculcation of moral values among its students. The parents of the girl, the police said, took this step because they were unhappy with her choice of friends in that country and her sexuality. “She was in a relationship with a girl in the US. The parents were unhappy over this and sent her to her maternal grandparents in India on July 25 to get some traditional and moral values and to be reformed,” said a police official investigating the disappearance.

The girl, who was against being sent to India, reportedly fled the university on September 10 and police have launched a massive search for her. Meanwhile, the parents have lodged a complaint with the New Agra police claiming that their daughter has been kidnapped and her passport and green card are being misused. The police has filed a case under section 366 (kidnapping) of the IPC. “We are taking all possible measures to trace the missing student of DEI and are in touch with her family,” said DIG Lakshmi Singh, talking to TOI.

According to investigators, the police are finding it difficult to trace the BSc in computer science student because she has an international number. “She only uses her phone to run apps on the internet and has avoided making any calls from the number,” said police officials. “It is difficult to trace such a number as its details and access are handled by the telecom company of its country of origin. She didn’t made new friends here. Her classmates said that she always chatted with her US-based friends,” said an official who is a part of the special investigating team formed to trace the girl.

The police is keeping a close tab on movements at airports, especially New Delhi, as the girl’s parents have expressed the fear that she could be sent to some other country by forging her green card and passport. They also expressed concern about some mishap occurring to their daughter.

