Body of missing doctor found in Narmada river

Surat: The body of a 29-year-old doctor who had been reported missing since May 16, was recovered from the Narmada river near Borbhatha village close to Golden Bridge on Sunday afternoon.

Dr Manisha Vala, who worked as a medical officer in the cancer surgical ward at Jayaben Mody Hospital in Ankleshwar for the past three and a half months, was last seen leaving her home in Garden City Society on May 16. She had informed her family that she was going to attend a friend's wedding in Bharuch. When she failed to return, her husband, Kalpesh, filed a missing person complaint with the Ankleshwar GIDC police.

Local villagers spotted the body floating in the river and alerted the authorities. Police identified the body as Dr Vala's based on the missing person report filed by her husband.

Dr Vala graduated from Swami Vivekanand Homeopathic Medical College in Bhavnagar in 2019. She joined Jayaben Mody Hospital in Feb 2025.

An official from the Ankleshwar police said, "Prima facie, it appears to be a case of suicide, but the final cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem examination. She was married to Kalpesh five months ago. We are recording statements from family members to understand the circumstances leading to her death. The investigation has been transferred to the deputy superintendent of police due to the sensitive nature of the case." Kalpesh is employed in the private sector.