Missing for 10 years, Jharkhand man found in Kerala through a 10-second reel

Kalikavu: Relatives identified Yaseen Sheikh, a native of Jharkhand who had been missing for 10 years, through a 10-second reel. Authorities said arrangements have been completed to hand over Yaseen, who had been living under the name Rasheed at Karunya Theeram Pratheekshabhavan in Poonoor, to his family. Yaseen will return to his home in Jharkhand after a farewell ceremony on Thursday.

The relatives identified him after watching a reel recorded by M.K. Mohammed Yasir, a native of Pevunthara in Kalikavu. Yaseen’s brother immediately contacted Yasir and informed the authorities at Pratheekshabhavan. The family provided Yaseen Sheikh’s Aadhaar card and other identity documents. After verifying the details in the documents with the records maintained by the institution, authorities confirmed that Rasheed at Pratheekshabhavan was indeed Yaseen Sheikh, whom his family had been searching for over the past 10 years.

His relatives also identified Yaseen through a video call. Although Yaseen has finally been found, his mother, Noorfool Didi, who had been waiting for her son, could not witness the happy moment. She died in 2023. His father, Sohrab Sheikh, along with his siblings and other relatives, are now waiting for Yaseen’s return after a decade.

Pratheekshabhavan authorities said returning home had been Rasheed’s long-cherished wish. Yaseen left for Tirur along with his brother on Wednesday night to meet relatives there. He will be given an official farewell at Pratheekshabhavan.

Efforts are continuing to trace the families of other residents at Pratheekshabhavan. There are currently 43 people staying at the centre.