Search operations have entered the fifth day for 31-year-old cybersecurity professional Advait Upadhyay, who has been missing since August 7. Advait was reportedly trekking in the Shivagange Hills near Bengaluru when he went missing.
The search operation involves nearly 100 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forest Department and police, who are attempting to navigate the difficult slopes and inaccessible portions of Shivagange Hills. One of the drones, deployed as part of the search operations, captured footage of a suspected body trapped amid dense vegetation near the base of Shantala Drop. The Shantala Drop is considered a dangerous cliff point at Shivagange due to its steep terrain.
The police are yet to verify the footage captured by the drone. The search team is currently facing difficulties in reaching the location where the suspected body was spotted because of persistent rain, slippery rocks and treacherous terrain.
“An extensive search operation continues, and further investigation is underway. We are looking into all angles,” a senior police officer told news agency PTI.
As part of its investigation, the police are also looking into the possibility of suicide, according to an IANS report citing police sources. However, it is important to note that police have not established that Upadhyay is dead.
During the investigation, police recovered a laptop from Upadhyay’s residence. It was alleged that the youngster had searched online for information about how long it would take a person to die after falling from Shivagange Hill, the consequences of such a fall and the height of the hill.
According to PTI, he had hired a motorcycle and reached the hill around 6.30 am on August 7. His rented motorcycle was parked at the foothills before he started his trek. However, police suspect that he may have travelled to Shivagange on August 4 rather than August 7, as initially reported.
Police reportedly obtained a photograph taken by another tourist showing Upadhyay at the hilltop. CCTV footage obtained by police also showed him climbing the hill. It is understood that soon after starting the trek, he sent a photograph to his fiancee, after which he became unreachable. Earlier, he had reportedly informed his fiancee about his trekking plan.
Police are currently examining all the evidence to establish Advait’s movements before he reportedly went missing. His family suspects that he could have been kidnapped or harmed by robbers. The family also said that he was trekking alone.
Upadhyay is a native of Indore in Madhya Pradesh and was residing in Whitefield, Bengaluru.
