Police work extends far beyond enforcing the law – it’s also about providing humanitarian assistance and seeking justice. A recent example of this came from the police in Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, who were officially commended by the Mongolian Embassy for their dedication and compassion. The incident happened when a Mongolian man, who had come to India to study meditation and yoga, was found unconscious by the Pratapgarh police. Without any identification and the language barrier acting as a major hurdle, it became difficult to identify him, making him even more vulnerable.
Despite the inability to communicate and the lack of clues, the police took swift action, ensuring he received medical treatment. They also used advanced AI tools to help identify him. Through their diligent investigation, they not only discovered his identity but also completed the necessary procedures to ensure his safe return. Eventually, they reunited him with the Mongolian Embassy, which assisted in his repatriation. The man was later identified as 37-year-old Khurelbaatar Batsuuri.
To learn more about this remarkable rescue, Indian Masterminds spoke with Mr. Anil Kumar (II), the 2016 batch IPS officer and current Superintendent of Police in Pratapgarh, who shared the full details of how his team brought the man to safety.
THE INCIDENT
On November 6, some locals in Antu town, Pratapgarh, spotted a Mongolian man lying unconscious in a field. Alarmed, they quickly alerted the police by dialing emergency number 112. A police team arrived at the scene and found the man in a fragile and disoriented state. He was immediately rushed to the hospital for treatment.
At first, with no way to communicate and no identification, the police were unsure of what had happened. They speculated whether he had been poisoned, was a victim of a criminal gang, or had suffered an accident. “We initially suspected poisoning and focused on stabilizing his condition,” Mr. Kumar said.
IDENTIFYING THE MYSTERY MAN
The man appeared to be from Nepal or possibly one of the northeastern states of India, based on his appearance. However, since the case could involve a foreign national, the matter was escalated to the SP. It also became apparent that the man might have a mental disability.
Two days later, on November 8, when he regained some ability to speak, the police faced a new challenge: a severe language barrier. Despite numerous attempts, the man was unable to communicate his identity or explain how he ended up in Pratapgarh. Without any documents, the police had no way to determine his nationality or the purpose of his visit.
To communicate, the police tried speaking to him in Nepalese, Chinese, and even Korean using translation apps powered by artificial intelligence. However, these attempts were unsuccessful, as he didn’t respond to any of the languages. Just when it seemed like the case had reached an impasse, one officer suggested that the man might be Mongolian.
The team switched to using Mongolian phrases, and this time, they got a breakthrough. “Upon hearing the word Mongolian and a few other Mongolian words, the man finally responded, confirming that he was from Mongolia.” Mr. Kumar said. The police then contacted the Mongolian Embassy, which quickly recognized him as a citizen of their country.
With his identity confirmed, the police completed their investigation and began the process of safely handing him over to the Mongolian Embassy in Delhi for further assistance.
THE INVESTIGATION
Through a thorough investigation, the police discovered that the man had traveled from Mongolia to China, and then from China to Nepal. From Nepal, he made his way to UP by bus. However, he was unable to recall how exactly he ended up in Pratapgarh due to his mental condition.
The Mongolian Embassy later spoke with the man and confirmed that he had come to India for meditation and yoga, as many Mongolians have a deep interest in Buddhism and meditation practices. Further questioning revealed that he believed practicing yoga would help him recover from certain mental health issues.
PRAISE FROM THE EMBASSY
On November 12, the man was officially handed over to the Mongolian Embassy. Given the friendly relationship between India and Mongolia, the embassy issued a formal appreciation letter, praising the Pratapgarh police for their dedication and thanking them for rescuing their citizen.
