Search for missing IIT Indore techie called off, Bengaluru police focus on digital footprint

The search for 31-year-old cybersecurity professional Advait Upadhyay, who went missing from Shivagange Hill on August 7, has been called off after an intensive combing operation across the treacherous terrain failed to trace him.

Shivagange Hill is located about 50 kilometre northwest of Bengaluru.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth confirmed that the physical search operation on the hill has been halted. Police have now shifted their focus to technical evidence, and Advait’s digital footprint to determine what happened to him.

Over 100 personnel from the NDRF, SDRF, Forest Department and local police were involved in the search.

In a final major effort, renowned rock climber Jyothiraj, popularly known as Kothiraj, and his team searched the steep cliffs around Shantala Drop, nearly 4,800 feet above sea level.

Advait, an IIT graduate from Indore, was reportedly scheduled to get married soon. Police investigations have revealed that he had considerable cybersecurity expertise and a complex social network.

With the physical search yielding no clues, investigators are examining his phone activity, digital communications, online accounts, and other technical evidence.

The police are also exploring whether his disappearance could have been deliberately staged.

The Kadugodi police, who have registered a missing complaint, will continue the investigation focusing on reconstructing Advait’s movements and digital activity before he disappeared.