Man from Pakistan jail home at last

He,however,did recognise everyone in his family,including his daughter Maya and wife Phool Kumari,who had married his younger brother Rajeshwar in his absence. He was not told that Phool Kumari was no longer his wife and that she had already had a baby with Rajeshwar.

But the questions that his return has raised were uppermost on everyone’s mind. “I do not know how to tell him,” said Rajeshwar.

On Friday morning,the family held a meeting with villager elders to discuss the matter.

“It was decided that until Shambhoo mentally recovers,Phool Kumari will stay with me,” said Rajeshwar. “Once he is all right,it will be his decision. It was also decided that I have to take care of him.”

Phool Kumari appeared to agree with the arrangement. “Shambhoo recognised everyone in the village,but he is still unwell. I have left it to my parents and other members of the family to decide about my future,” she said.

Shambhoo is staying with Rajeshwar,who is expected to arrange for his medical treatment.

“Once he gets well,we will tell him about Phool Kumari’s second marriage,” said his elder brother Chander.

Shambhoo was among 17 imprisoned men released by Pakistan last week. He was sent to the Institute of Mental Hospital in Amritsar,where doctors diagnosed him to be suffering from schizophrenia. Ram Chander brought him from Amritsar.

Even when Shambhoo left home in 2005,he was not mentally sound. He only remembers that after leaving home,he boarded a train and reached Amritsar. From there,he went to an unknown place. The police caught him and put him in jail,where he was beaten up. He still bears the scars,said Rajeshwar.