According to the police, the man had left his home in Maharashtra’s Palghar district in 2016 and has been reunited with his parents years later, following sustained efforts by the local police
The case was taken up under Operation Muskan-14, a special campaign launched by Palghar SP. File Pic
A man missing for 10 years have been reunited with his family after Palghar cops traced him to Delhi during a special operation, officials said on Sunday.
According to the police, the man had left his home in Maharashtra’s Palghar district in 2016 and has been reunited with his parents years later, following sustained efforts by the local police, reported the PTI.
The man, identified as Praveen Pawar, now 39, was traced in Delhi on Saturday.
Police said that Pawar is originally from Ahilyanagar. While working at a hospital in Vikramgadh in Palghar district, he reportedly had a dispute with his parents and left home in 2016. Since then, he remained untraceable, according to the PTI.
Operation Muskan leads to breakthrough
The case was taken up under Operation Muskan-14, a special campaign launched by Palghar Superintendent of Police Yatish Deshmukh to trace missing children and adults by revisiting old and unsolved cases, as per the PTI.
Police teams reopened the case and began following fresh leads using modern investigative tools.
Technical and human intelligence used to trace the man
Wada police station inspector Dattatray Kindre said Pawar was located in Delhi using technical investigation methods, human intelligence, and social media tracking.
“Utilising leads from technical investigation, human intelligence and social media traces, we were able to locate Pawar in Delhi. His family is extremely happy,” Kindre said, reported the PTI.
The police are now completing the formalities to ensure Pawar’s safe return and reunion with his family.
Lost for 12 years, mother reunites with sons
A woman who went missing in city some 12 years ago has finally been reunited with her three sons from Parbhani, thanks to the compassion and persistent efforts of the Mumbai Police.
The woman was found by the police officials while she was begging on the city streets, said an official.
According to the officials, over a decade ago, the woman had travelled to Mumbai with her family. During the visit, she got separated from her relatives in the city’s crowded streets. Despite repeated attempts to trace her, the family failed to find any clue.
With time, hope faded. Her children eventually returned to their native place in Parbhani, believing that their mother was lost forever.
Chance encounter during police drive
The turning point came on January 13, when police from JJ Marg police station were conducting a routine drive against beggars and homeless persons. At JJ Junction, they noticed a woman in her seventies begging on the roadside.
She appeared confused, weak, poorly clothed and mentally distressed. When questioned, she was unable to give clear answers and spoke incoherently.
‘My name is Godavari and I am lost’
Under the guidance of senior police inspector Rais Shaikh, a team including sub-inspector Jamadar and women constables Bhosale and Gavit began efforts to identify the woman, a police official said.
After she was cleaned up and given food, she repeatedly said just one sentence: “My name is Godavari. I am lost.”
Shelter home and NGO support
With very limited information, the police completed legal formalities and, following a court order, shifted her to a shelter home in Chembur.
To move the case forward, the police sought help from Koshish, an NGO that works with beggars and homeless people. During counselling sessions conducted by the NGO along with women police personnel, the woman mentioned Selu in Parbhani district.
Missing complaint found after 12 years
This vital clue led JJ Marg police to contact Selu police station. A check of old records revealed a missing person complaint filed 12 years ago for a woman matching her description.
Her three sons were called to the police station and shown photographs shared by Mumbai Police. The moment they saw the picture, they broke down—it was their mother.
An emotional reunion
Overcome with emotion, the sons immediately travelled to Mumbai, carrying a new sari and food for their mother. After completing all legal procedures, JJ Marg police formally reunited the woman with her children.
As the family came together after 12 long years of separation, tears of joy were shared by the sons and the personnel who witnessed the reunion in Mumbai, the official said.
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