Missing for 47 days, medical student found begging on Mumbai streets reunited with family

A 25-year-old medical student from Nanded in Maharashtra, who had been missing for 47 days and was later found begging on the streets of Mumbai, has finally been reunited with his family by Mumbai Police during an anti-begging drive, as per reports.

According to reports, Abhay Suresh Belkoni, a third-year Bachelor of Homoeopathic Medicine and Surgery (BHMS) student, went missing on April 4 while travelling to his college in Jalgaon. During the train journey, he reportedly lost his bag, mobile phone, and important documents, leaving him stranded without money or any means of communication. Abhay, who was also suffering from mental health issues, began begging for food on the streets of Mumbai.

He was rescued from SV Road in Malad on Thursday during a police anti-begging operation.  The youth reportedly appeared physically weak and mentally disturbed, making it difficult for him to answer questions clearly. However, he managed to reveal his name and hometown.

After verifying the details with the Tamsa Police Station in Nanded, officers confirmed that a missing person complaint had been registered in his name.

It was reportedly revealed that Abhay had briefly contacted his family on April 6 using a railway vendor’s phone, but the call disconnected before he could explain his situation. Despite continuous efforts, the family could not trace him and later filed a formal missing complaint on May 16.

Following the verification process, Mumbai Police contacted Abhay’s father and safely reunited the student with his family the same day.