Even as an intensive search operation continues for Dr. Omkar Bhagwat Kavitke, the 32-year-old JJ Hospital surgeon who allegedly jumped off Atal Setu on Monday night, police have revealed that a recent breakup may have played a role in his decision to take the extreme step.
According to Assistant Commissioner of Police (Port) Vishal Nehul, preliminary investigations suggest that Dr. Kavitke had been emotionally distressed following the end of a relationship. “He was in a relationship with a medical student, but her parents rejected the match and refused the doctor’s marriage proposal. The couple decided to end the relationship about a month ago, and this had been weighing heavily on him,” ACP Nehul said.
Dr. Kavitke, a resident of Kalamboli’s Avinash Society, had last spoken to his mother around 9:11 PM on July 7, assuring her he would be home soon for dinner. However, at approximately 9:43 PM, the Atal Setu Control Room received an alert that a man had jumped off the 11.800-km mark on the Mumbai-bound lane of the bridge.
Responding to the alert, Ulwe Police and beat marshals found a parked Honda Amaze car (MH 46 CM 6837) with a mobile phone inside. The phone led authorities to identify the missing man as Dr. Kavitke. His family members, including his sister Komal Pramod Lambate, later arrived at the police station and confirmed his identity.
Since then, multiple agencies—including marine units, divers, and rescue boats like Dhruvtara—have been scouring the creek in an effort to locate the surgeon.
“There was no suicide note, and CCTV footage from the bridge has been reviewed,” said Senior Inspector Arjun Rajane from Ulwe Police Station.
Police have appealed to citizens with any information to come forward, as the search for Dr. Kavitke enters its third day.
