Mumbai: Gym Trainer Believed To Have Died By Suicide After Online Backlash Found Alive After Three Days

Mumbai: In a remarkable twist of fate, a father's unwavering determination to find his missing son, who was feared dead after a viral video scandal, led to the young man's miraculous rescue in Mulund on Thursday.

Twenty-year-old Dharav Naker had been at the center of controversy after a video surfaced showing him allegedly assaulting someone in a gym. The incident quickly went viral, resulting in a police complaint and Dharav's subsequent arrest. Though he was granted bail after a few days, Dharav went missing on August 5, leaving his family in despair. A missing persons case was filed with the Navghar police in Mulund.

The family’s fears deepened when Dharav’s motorcycle was discovered near the Airoli creek bridge, a site often associated with tragic incidents. Despite the grim discovery, Dharav's father, Mahindra Naker, refused to give up hope. His relentless search efforts paid off three days later when he found his son alive.

On July 17, Dharav, a gym trainer, allegedly attacked Yugesh Vilas Shinde with exercise equipment at the gym. The altercation was caught on camera, and the video quickly went viral, leading to legal action against Dharav.

When Dharav failed to return home on Monday, his father took to the Airoli creek, searching tirelessly with the help of a police boat. On some occasions, it was just Mahindra and a constable on the boat, calling out for Dharav. As the days passed without any sign of him, hope began to wane among the family members.

However, Mahindra’s persistence led him back to the creek on Thursday afternoon. Around 3:30 pm, while calling out his son’s name, he heard a faint cry for help. Rushing to the spot, Mahindra found Dharav trapped in the mangroves, weak and covered in mosquito bites, but very much alive. With the assistance of the constable, they freed him and brought him to the bridge.

Overwhelmed with relief, Mahindra immediately made a video call to the family, allowing Dharav’s mother and other relatives to speak to him. Dharav was later admitted to the hospital, where he is currently recovering.