Mohammad Hanif’s whereabouts became known around two days ago when the Vadodara police contacted Imran’s grandfather at Singlyani village of Surankot taluka in Jammu and Kashmir to inquire about him.

In June 2008, Hanif had boarded a train from Mumbai after returning from Madina and had contacted his family. But no one knew what happened after that, said Hanif’s father-in-law Mohammad Sadiq.

Assistant Sub-Inspector Vikram Singh from the Raopura police station said: “The youth was found in an unconscious state near Padmavati Complex in the Walled City area by the 108 Ambulance Services.”

He said Hanif was later taken to the SSG Hospital where he remained unconscious for the two months. It was then that the police decided to send him to the Missionaries of Charity at Makarpura.

A sister from the Missionaries of Charity at Makarpura said: “When Hanif was brought to us, he was in an unconscious state. He was apparently administered an extremely strong dose of sedative while on the train. He had lost his memory and was bed-ridden and passed his urine on the bed itself. He used to mumble, but we could not decipher what he was speaking.”

She added: “Later on, he started recuperating and helping others in our institution. He used to cry upon seeing the orphaned children in the institution.”

She said after Hanif expressed his desire to return home, the police contacted his family.

Sub-Inspector Abdul Nagori from Raopura said: “Under the guidance of Inspector K V Patel, we contacted the Surankot taluka police, who helped us trace Hanif’s family. Two days ago, we finally traced the family and they agreed to come immediately.”

Hanif’s father Raj Mohammad told Newsline: “I was at pains thinking my son was dead.”

Hanif’s father in-law said: “My daughter Khalsa Begum was expecting when my son-in-law left. He was in touch with us when he reached the Mumbai Airport from Madina, but later we lost touch with him.”

From Jammu we came till Delhi in search of him, but all efforts went in vain. His coming back has been akin to the sighting of the new moon on Eid.”