Search for Missing Techie Advait Upadhyay Called Off at Shivagange Hill

The physical search for 31-year-old cybersecurity professional Advait Upadhyay, who went missing from Shivagange Hill on August 7, has been called off after an extensive combing operation across the treacherous terrain yielded no trace of him.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth confirmed that the ground search operation on the hill, located approximately 50 kilometres northwest of Bengaluru, has been halted. Investigators have now shifted their focus toward examining technical evidence and tracing Advait's digital footprint to determine what happened.

The search effort involved more than 100 personnel drawn from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), the Forest Department, and local police. In a final major push, renowned rock climber Jyothiraj, popularly known as Kothiraj, alongside his team, conducted detailed searches across the steep cliffs around Shantala Drop, situated nearly 4,800 feet above sea level.

Advait, an IIT graduate from Indore, was reportedly scheduled to be married soon. Police inquiries revealed that he had significant expertise in cybersecurity along with a complex social network.

Because the physical combing operation produced no leads, investigators are now closely analyzing his phone activity, digital communications, online accounts, and other technical records. Police officials are also exploring the possibility of whether his disappearance could have been deliberately staged.

The Kadugodi police, who registered the initial missing person complaint, will continue handling the case with a focus on reconstructing Advait’s timeline, physical movements, and digital activity prior to his disappearance.