{
  "id": 423195,
  "title": "Who is Varun Batchigari? Indian student accused of killing girlfriend and fleeing US",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/who-is-varun-batchigari-indian-student-accused-of-killing-girlfriend",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-10T00:16:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times - World News",
    "slug": "hindustan-times-world-news",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/who-is-varun-batchigari-indian-student-accused-of-killing-girlfriend-and-fleeing-us-101786317058436.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Varun Batchigari, a 20-year-old Indian student, has been accused of killing his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julissa Rubi Salazar, and fleeing the United States. Batchigari, who entered the US on an F-1 student visa, studied business analytics at the University of Arizona before being expelled following a fight and allegations of domestic violence and sexual assault. He is accused of strangling Salazar in her apartment in Tucson on August 6 and fleeing the country using her stolen phone and credit cards. The motive for the killing is unclear, but financial difficulties and concerns about his visa status may have played a role. Batchigari is currently facing charges of first-degree murder and kidnapping and is awaiting extradition to Arizona.",
  "summary": "Varun Batchigari, an Arizona student, is accused of killing his girlfriend before being caught fleeing to India through Germany.",
  "key_points": [
    "20-year-old Indian student accused of killing girlfriend Julissa Rubi Salazar",
    "Accused of strangling Salazar in Tucson apartment on August 6",
    "Fled US using stolen phone and credit cards, faces first-degree murder charges"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Hindustan Times - World News",
        "title": "Indian student arrested in Germany for girlfriend’s murder in Arizona",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/10/indian-student-arrested-in-germany-for-girlfriends-murder-in-arizona",
        "published": "2026-08-10T01:23:02.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}