Mumbai builder’s alleged abduction revealed as alcohol rehab intervention
- October 7, 2025
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Police in Mumbai unraveled an unusual case that began as a suspected kidnapping and ended as a planned rehabilitation effort. A local builder, Chandrakant Bhunu, was reported missing by his second wife, only for investigators to later find him safe at a de-addiction center. What initially appeared to be an abduction turned out to be an intervention arranged by his first wife, who sought help for his struggle with alcoholism.
The case began when Bhunu’s second wife approached the police claiming her husband had been kidnapped. According to her statement, he had gone missing under suspicious circumstances, prompting authorities to launch an immediate search. The report triggered concern among family members and led officers to trace Bhunu’s last known movements across the city.
After following several leads, police located Bhunu not in danger but at a rehabilitation facility in Mumbai. Staff members at the center confirmed that he had been brought there by a team acting on behalf of his first wife. The individuals initially suspected of being kidnappers were, in fact, employees of the rehabilitation center tasked with escorting him safely for treatment.
Investigators learned that Bhunu’s first wife had organized the intervention after becoming increasingly concerned about his drinking habits. She reportedly contacted the rehabilitation center and requested assistance in admitting him for therapy. The staff followed standard procedures for such interventions, which sometimes involve accompanying patients who may resist voluntary admission.
Once the facts were verified, police concluded that no criminal offense had occurred. Officers determined that Bhunu had not been abducted but rather taken for medical support with the consent of family members involved in arranging the process. Authorities closed the kidnapping investigation after confirming that all actions were part of a legitimate wellness initiative rather than an unlawful act.
What started as a dramatic missing-person report ultimately turned into a story about family concern and health recovery. The misunderstanding highlighted how personal disputes and communication gaps can escalate into legal confusion when multiple parties are involved. For police, it was an unusual case where their search ended not at a crime scene but at a rehabilitation facility focused on healing rather than harm.
In conclusion, Chandrakant Bhunu’s disappearance initially alarmed authorities and relatives alike, but the investigation revealed a different truth—one rooted in care rather than crime. His first wife’s decision to seek professional help underscored the growing awareness around addiction treatment and family-led interventions in urban India. The episode served as a reminder that appearances can be misleading and that compassion sometimes takes unexpected forms—even those mistaken for kidnapping plots.