A software engineer from Telangana, Lokini Krishna Murthy, who had been in a coma in Riyadh for nearly three months, was airlifted back to Hyderabad on October 12, 2025 after coordinated efforts by the Telangana government, Indian diplomatic staff, and community groups.

Murthy, aged 35 and a resident of Elkathurthy mandal in Husnabad constituency, suffered a brain haemorrhage while at work in Riyadh on July 23. At the time of the incident, he was employed with Saudi Awwal Bank. He was admitted to SMC Hospital, Riyadh, where doctors placed him on ventilator support, diagnosing a severe brainstem injury, likely aggravated by high blood pressure.

Over the following weeks, Murthy remained in critical condition, requiring intensive neurocritical care and monitoring.

The repatriation process gained momentum after Murthy’s father, Lokini Suraiah, filed a request through the CM’s Pravasi Prajavani portal on September 9 seeking assistance for his son’s medical transfer. Telangana’s Transport & BC Welfare Minister Ponnam Prabhakar took up the matter with the Indian Embassy in Riyadh to coordinate the evacuation.

The evacuation was facilitated with support from various groups:

• The Global Telangana Forum in Riyadh, led by Mohammad Jabbar, aided in local coordination.

• Mandha Bheem Reddy, Vice-Chairman of the Telangana NRI Advisory Committee, also oversaw formalities and logistics on the Indian side.

Murthy was flown to Hyderabad on a Saudi Airlines flight equipped with specialized medical support. His wife, Tenugu Ashwini, accompanied him. Upon arrival in Hyderabad on the early morning of October 13, he was immediately admitted to Deccan Hospital for advanced neurocritical care.

Murthy is expected to receive intensive neurocritical care and rehabilitation to address the brain injury and its complications. His condition is described as critical and requiring close monitoring.

Officials and the family have expressed gratitude toward all parties that facilitated the evacuation — the Telangana government, embassy staff, NRI community groups, and medical teams.

The case is a reminder of the challenges expatriate workers can face abroad and the essential role played by diplomatic, governmental, and community networks in emergency medical evacuations.