'Searched for suicide spots': Mystery deepens over Bengaluru techie missing ahead of wedding

BENGALURU: Search operations for 31-year-old cyber security professional Advait Upadhyay resumed on Wednesday, with nearly 100 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Forest Department and police scouring the treacherous slopes of Shivagange Hill in Nelamangala taluk.Drone spots possible bodyThe operation took a crucial turn after high-resolution drones spotted what appeared to be a body trapped amid dense vegetation at the base of Shantala Drop, a notoriously steep and dangerous cliff point on the hill.Police deployed specialised body-found metal detectors from the Bengaluru City Police Commissionerate along with drones to help teams navigate the difficult terrain.Advait went missing after solo trekAdvait, an IIT graduate residing in Kadugodi with his fiancée Prapti Chauhan, went missing on Friday after setting out on a solo trek. He had informed Chauhan about his trekking plan before leaving. The couple was set to get married in January.CCTV footage from the foothills showed Advait parking his rented motorcycle and beginning his climb around 7.30am. Before ascending, he sent a selfie to Chauhan from the hilltop, but his mobile phone was switched off shortly afterwards.Technical analysis later showed that his phone's last known location signal had pinged near Kudur on Kunigal Road, an area away from the standard trekking path.Police examine suicide angleDuring a parallel investigation at his residence, police examined Advait's laptop and found search histories relating to the depth and topography of Shivagange Hill and Shantala Drop. He had also searched for suicide locations around Bengaluru.Police, however, said they were keeping all possibilities open and were also examining the possibility of foul play or other explanations."Nearly 100 search personnel are braving persistent rain and slippery cliffs to reach the visual location flagged by the drone. We are keeping all possibilities open, examining both a suicide angle based on his search history and potential foul play or alternate theories," police sources told TOI.Teams push towards Shantala DropPersistent rain and slippery cliffs have made the search operation challenging. Specialised teams are continuing to move towards the location identified by the drone at the base of Shantala Drop.Search and rescue operations remain ongoing as multiple agencies work to locate Advait.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Bengaluru | Silver Rate in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru | Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Petrol Price in Bengaluru | Diesel Price in Bengaluru | CNG Price in Bengaluru | LPG Price in BengaluruStay updated with the latest Bengaluru news. Download the TOI App.