Pune: Man Declared Dead in 2015 Kedarnath Flood Found Alive, Receives Family Rehabilitation Through Pune Psychiatric Hospital

Yerawada, 8th December 2025: In an extraordinary turn of events reminiscent of a movie plot, a man presumed dead in the 2015 Kedarnath floods has been found alive and has now been reunited with his family following psychiatric rehabilitation at Pune’s Yerawada Regional Mental Hospital.

Missing During Kedarnath Floods
During the devastating 2015 floods in Kedarnath, several people lost their lives, and many others went missing. Among the missing was a man named Shivam. Despite extensive search operations, no information about him surfaced, and his family had, in good faith, performed symbolic last rites, believing him to be deceased.

Shivam resurfaced years later during a criminal investigation in Sambhajinagar district. An individual arrested in connection with a local theft case mentioned Shivam’s name. Upon presenting Shivam in court, it was observed that he was suffering from a mental disorder. He was admitted to Pune’s Regional Mental Hospital for treatment, and over the course of two years, he underwent psychiatric care while legal proceedings were completed, culminating in family reunification.

Dr. Srinivas Kolod, Medical Superintendent of the Regional Mental Hospital, Pune, explained that Shivam was admitted on 27 October 2021 for mental health treatment. He had a pending case under Section 295 of the Indian Penal Code concerning offenses affecting religious sentiments. Shivam’s communication was limited due to language barriers, as he was a Pahadi Hindi speaker. Social Service Officer Rohini Bhosale engaged with him, gathering clues about his background, including his schooling in Rurki village, Haridwar.

Using these details, the hospital team traced Shivam’s family through police stations and official correspondence. His brother confirmed that Shivam had gone missing during his service at the Kedarnath temple, and the family had assumed him dead after failed search attempts.

Following extensive coordination with the Shivur Police Station, Vaijapur Court, and Pune hospital authorities, Shivam’s innocence in the criminal case was established. After repeated advocacy by Rohini Bhosale and support from hospital staff, including Dr. Shama Rathod, Dr. Varsha Bedgkar, Dr. Ingle, Dr. Amit Gosavi, and nurses like Kavita Gade, Shivam underwent continuous counselling and psychiatric treatment.

Finally, after nearly two years of legal and medical processes, Shivam was cleared for family rehabilitation. The hospital formally handed him over to his relatives, marking a joyous conclusion to an extraordinary journey of survival, legal exoneration, and mental health recovery.

Dr. Kolod highlighted the combined efforts of hospital staff, social workers, police, and legal authorities that made this family reunification possible. The story of Shivam not only underscores the importance of psychiatric rehabilitation in reintegrating individuals into society but also serves as a testament to perseverance, human empathy, and meticulous coordination across healthcare and legal systems.