The family of 35-year-old Neelam Shinde, a Maharashtra native, has been scheduled for a visa interview at the US embassy in Mumbai on Friday, February 28. This development follows the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs, which took up the case with US authorities, who assured that they were expediting the visa process.

Shinde, a resident of Satara, was reportedly struck by a four-wheeler in California over ten days ago and has been in a coma since the accident. Her family had reached out to the Indian government for assistance in obtaining a visa to travel to the US.

According to a report by NDTV, Neelam’s father, Tanaji Shinde, stated that she had traveled to the United States for higher education and was a fourth-year student at California State University. The family recounted that Neelam was involved in the accident on the evening of February 14 while she was out for a walk.

They alleged that it was a hit-and-run incident, as the vehicle struck her from behind, causing severe injuries to her arms, legs, head, and chest. The family was informed about the accident two days later by Neelam’s roommate.

The 35-year-old is currently receiving treatment in the intensive care unit of C Davis Medical Center in Sacramento, California. According to her family, she slipped into a coma due to a strong impact on her chest.

Authorities in both India and the US continue to monitor the situation as efforts are underway to facilitate her family’s travel to provide support during her medical treatment.