In an extraordinary turn of events, a 43-year-old man, believed to be dead and cremated by his family, walked into a prayer meeting held in his memory in Gujarat’s Mehsana district on Thursday. Brijesh Suthar’s unexpected reappearance left his family, friends, and police stunned, raising haunting questions about the identity of the body they had cremated just days earlier.
Missing for Weeks, Gujarat Man Mistakenly Declared Dead
Brijesh Suthar, a resident of Naroda in Ahmedabad, had gone missing on October 27. His disappearance left his family in despair as they searched for him relentlessly but to no avail. Eventually, a missing person’s report was filed with the local police. On November 10, two weeks after his disappearance, the police found a decomposed body near the Sabarmati bridge and summoned the Suthar family for identification.
Faced with a severely deteriorated body, the family mistakenly identified it as Brijesh based on its physique and other similarities. Believing they had lost him, the family performed the cremation rites and organized a prayer meeting on November 16 to honor his memory. Little did they know, Brijesh would walk into his own memorial service, leaving everyone in a state of disbelief.
“We had been searching for him everywhere. His phone was switched off, and there was no trace of him,” said Brijesh’s mother, recounting the family’s anguish. “When the police showed us the body, it was swollen and unrecognizable. We assumed it was him and proceeded with the rituals.”
Mental Health Struggles and a Mysterious Reappearance
Media reports suggest that Brijesh had been grappling with mental health issues and was under considerable stress due to financial troubles stemming from investments. His sudden disappearance had deeply concerned his family, who feared the worst.
While his reappearance has brought relief, it has also raised critical questions. Brijesh has not yet revealed where he was or what transpired during his absence, adding an air of mystery to the already puzzling case. Family members have described his state as being withdrawn and emotionally troubled, with one relative mentioning he had been battling depression.
A New Mystery: Whose Body Was Cremated?
With Brijesh alive and well, the focus now shifts to the identity of the body cremated in his place. Police are investigating the matter, which has thrown up a legal and ethical dilemma. “The primary question now is: whose body did the family cremate? We are working to determine the deceased’s identity and the circumstances that led to this confusion,” said an investigating officer.
The mistaken identification has not only complicated the police’s task but has also left Brijesh’s family grappling with guilt and confusion. “It’s overwhelming. We are relieved he is alive, but the fact that we cremated another person’s body is deeply unsettling,” said a family member.
This incident highlights challenges faced in identifying decomposed bodies and underscores the need for more reliable methods, such as DNA testing, before conclusions are drawn.
A Tale of Grief, Relief, and Unanswered Questions
Brijesh’s case is a rare and unsettling story that has captured public attention. It serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and support for individuals dealing with stress and depression. At the same time, it has exposed gaps in the identification process of unidentified bodies, a critical area of concern for law enforcement.
For the Suthar family, the incident has been a whirlwind of emotions—from the agony of losing a loved one to the shock and relief of finding him alive, coupled with the grim realization that another family may still be searching for their missing relative.
As the police work to unravel the identity of the cremated individual and the circumstances surrounding Brijesh’s disappearance, this bizarre tale continues to evoke curiosity and concern. The answers to these questions will determine not just the resolution of the case but also provide closure to all those affected by this extraordinary series of events.