15 days on, no sign of Kalyan woman and her 8-year-old son

Anuradha Deokar and her son; (right) deceased Vimal Bhagat

Fifteen days since their disappearance, a 33-year-old woman and her eight-year-old son remain untraceable. The woman's mother, who had accompanied them, was found dead on the day of the disappearance. The deceased woman's family has claimed that the mother-son duo could not have committed suicide and must have been subjected to superstitious activities by unknown people. The case is being investigated by the Khadakpada police.

In the wee hours of September 8, Vimal Bhagat, 54, her daughter Anuradha Deokar and her son, left their home in Mohne, Kalyan. Around 11 am, the neighbours found the door of the flat open and found no one inside. Vimal's husband, Sahebrao, was informed and the Bhagat and Deokar families rushed to Khadakpada police station. Meanwhile, Khadakpada cops were busy identifying the body of a woman, found just a couple of hours before, near Ulhas river. The woman was identified as Vimal.

A page from the notebook with the mysterious messages, signs

"According to witnesses, the body was found between 6.30 am and 6.45 am, just a couple of hours after they left from home. CCTV footage shows my mother, sister and nephew leaving around 4.20 am. They were fully dressed," said Vijay Bhagat, Vimal's son.

Incidents before disappearance

When the family started making enquiries, they discovered that Anuradha was taken to a nearby hospital to be treated for weakness by a local milkman. Vimal and Anuradha's son also accompanied the duo. According to the doctor, Vimal got her daughter discharged saying they don't have money.

"Vimal also bought a new pair of chappals for Anuradha and our son. Utensils at home indicated that they had prepared tea before leaving. A new cylinder was brought, groceries were refilled, and they had '24,000 in a locker," said Rahul Deokar, Anuradha's husband. "Due to various issues, my wife did not stay with me for six years. One of them was superstition. My mother-in-law believed my wife was possessed by a goddess," he added. The Khadakpada police said they are investigating the matter.

Mysterious messages

During the search of the family's home, a notebook containing mysterious signs and messages written in it was found. The script and the messages have not been deciphered yet. The family believes that Vimal was in touch with a godman who might have asked them to write the messages. Anuradha's son had stopped attending school in June.

4.20 am
Time on Sept 8 the trio left from their Kalyan home

6.30 am
Approx. time on Sept 8 when Vimal's body was found