Valentine’s Miracle: Missing For 26 Years, Mother Reunites With Family At RMH

Nagpur: Twenty-six years after she vanished on her way to the Regional Mental Hospital (RMH) in Nagpur, a mother was reunited with her family at the same institution in an emotional scene that unfolded two days after Valentine's Day. A son who was an infant when she disappeared embraced her as tears flowed freely, ending decades of uncertainty for a family that had long feared she was dead.Around 26 years ago, the woman — then a young mother — was travelling with her late husband and relatives to RMH for treatment when she went missing midway. Her husband lodged a police complaint and searched for two days in Nagpur, but she remained untraceable. With no leads, the family gradually lost hope. Her children were raised by relatives and later married, even as the mystery lingered.
On Sept 17 last year, Bhandara police, acting on court orders from the chief judicial magistrate after she was produced by Warathi police station, admitted an unidentified woman — recorded as an "unknown female" — to RMH Nagpur. She was severely malnourished, physically frail, extremely disturbed and non-communicative, responding aggressively to questioning.Under psychiatrist Dr Pankaj Bagde, treatment began with psychiatric medication, nutritional support and round-the-clock care. Social service superintendent Kunda Katekhaye Bidkar persistently worked to build trust. After days of gentle interaction, the woman softly uttered her name as "Koma" (name changed) and gradually shared fragments — "Gopiwaada, Bhandara", her parents' names, caste and village.On Nov 13, senior police inspector Bhimaji Patil of Jawahar Nagar police station, Bhandara, was contacted, but initial village enquiries yielded no results. She later mentioned "Barshi Takli, district Bhandara", though records showed it falls in Akola district, leading to fresh efforts.Psychiatric social worker Ashok Jadhav from Akola's district mental health programme joined the search, coordinating with local ASHA workers. Early responses were negative despite circulating her photograph. Persistence paid off when her details were shared across the entire taluka ASHA WhatsApp group.On Feb 14, a breakthrough came. Her brother called Katekhaye Bidkar and said, "Madam, I am the brother of that patient. My sister went missing 26 years ago…" Within a day, relatives confirmed her identity — linking her maternal home in Barshi Takli and marital home in Akola.On Feb 16, her sister, brother, son and other relatives reached RMH Nagpur. Her husband had died 15 years ago, unable to bear the distress of her disappearance. The reunion took place in the presence of medical superintendent Dr Satish Humne, deputy medical superintendent Dr Mohbe, psychiatrist Dr Bagde, social service superintendent Bidkar Katekhaye, matron Pratibha Mankar and staff members.Dr Humne said, "This is not just one patient's reunion but a reinforcement of society's trust in the mental health system. Through coordination between the judiciary, police and health services, the impossible became possible."Bidkar Katekhaye added, "Reuniting a mother lost for 26 years with her family is beyond words. Every patient has a family, a story, and a long wait."Her sister said, "We lost hope she was alive. Seeing her after 26 years feels like a divine miracle. We are deeply grateful to RMH."