Missing Bengaluru techie Advait Upadhyaya: Police suspect suicide bid at Shivagange Hill
Synopsis
A Bengaluru software professional has been missing from Shivagange Hill since 7 August, and Karnataka Police now suspect a suicide attempt after his laptop allegedly revealed AI-assisted searches about the consequences of falling from the hill. With SDRF drones combing steep terrain and no confirmation of death, the case has raised urgent questions about mental health distress signals going unnoticed.
Key Takeaways
Advait Upadhyaya , a techie from Indore residing in Kadugodi, Bengaluru , went missing from Shivagange Hill on 7 August .
Police recovered his laptop and allegedly found searches using an AI tool about the consequences of falling from the hill, including a query about dying from a fall at 7.30 a.m.
Investigators suspect he may have visited the hill as early as 4 August , three days before the planned trek.
A photograph of Upadhyaya taken by another tourist at the hilltop is being examined to trace his movements.
Search teams including SDRF , police, and fire services are using drone cameras to scan the hill's steep and inaccessible sections, including the Shantala Drop .
Police have not confirmed Upadhyaya's death; the search and investigation remain ongoing as of 10 August .
Karnataka Police suspect that Advait Upadhyaya, a Bengaluru-based software professional who went missing from Shivagange Hill in Bengaluru Rural district, may have attempted to take his own life, after investigators allegedly recovered searches on his laptop indicating he had researched the consequences of falling from the hill. The search operation, now in its third day as of 10 August, involves multiple agencies combing the hill's difficult terrain.
Who Is Advait Upadhyaya
Advait Upadhyaya, a native of Indore in Madhya Pradesh, was residing in Kadugodi, Bengaluru, at the time of his disappearance. He reportedly arrived at Shivagange Hill for a trekking visit on 7 August. Shortly after beginning the trek, he sent a photograph to his fiancée and subsequently became unreachable. Police sources say he may have first visited the hill as early as 4 August, ahead of the planned trek.
What Investigators Found
Police recovered a laptop from Upadhyaya's residence and accessed it during the course of the investigation. According to police sources, the device allegedly contained searches made using an AI tool, querying how long it would take to die from a fall off Shivagange Hill, as well as searches relating to the hill's height and the likely consequences of a fall. An AI-generated response reportedly suggested that a person falling from the hill at around 7.30 a.m. could potentially die. Investigators are treating this digital evidence as a significant factor in their assessment, though no conclusions have been confirmed.
Additionally, a photograph of Upadhyaya taken by another tourist — reportedly at the hilltop — has been obtained by police. Investigators are analysing this image alongside other evidence to reconstruct his movements before he went missing.
Search Operation on Ground
A large-scale search operation is being led by Nelamangala Town Circle Inspector Bharat Gowda and involves personnel from the police, fire and emergency services, and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Teams are scanning inaccessible sections of the hill using drone cameras and are focusing on narrow, deep, and steep stretches where a person could potentially be trapped or have fallen.
The Shantala Drop, a popular tourist spot at the summit of Shivagange, is among the most challenging areas for search teams due to its steep gradient and restricted access. Officials say the search will continue until Upadhyaya is located.
Current Status
Police have not confirmed that Upadhyaya has died. The investigation remains active, with technical and physical evidence being examined in parallel. Authorities are continuing efforts to determine his precise movements and establish what happened on the hill. The search operation is expected to persist until a definitive outcome is reached.
This is a developing story. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out to iCall at 9152987821 or Vandrevala Foundation at 1860-2662-345, available 24/7.
Point of View
And apparently do, provide clinically dangerous information to users in acute distress. The laptop evidence, if confirmed, will likely reignite the debate around AI guardrails in India — a conversation that has so far remained largely theoretical. Meanwhile, the case also underscores how little visibility employers, families, and communities have into the mental state of young professionals in high-pressure urban tech jobs, particularly those who have relocated far from home.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Advait Upadhyaya and when did he go missing?
Advait Upadhyaya is a software professional originally from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, who was living in Kadugodi, Bengaluru. He went missing on 7 August after beginning a trek at Shivagange Hill in Bengaluru Rural district, shortly after sending a photograph to his fiancée.
Why do Karnataka Police suspect a suicide attempt?
Police recovered Upadhyaya's laptop and allegedly found searches made via an AI tool querying how long it would take to die from a fall off Shivagange Hill, along with searches about the hill's height and the consequences of a fall. An AI-generated response reportedly indicated that a fall at around 7.30 a.m. could be fatal. These findings, combined with other evidence, have led investigators to suspect he may have planned to take his own life.
What is the current status of the search operation?
As of 10 August, a multi-agency search operation led by Nelamangala Town Circle Inspector Bharat Gowda is ongoing. Teams from the police, SDRF, and fire and emergency services are using drone cameras to scan steep and inaccessible sections of Shivagange Hill, including the Shantala Drop. Police have not confirmed Upadhyaya's death.
What is Shivagange Hill and why is the search difficult?
Shivagange Hill is a historic trekking and pilgrimage site in Bengaluru Rural district, Karnataka. The terrain includes narrow, deep, and steep sections — including the Shantala Drop — that make physical searches extremely challenging and require drone technology to scan inaccessible areas.
Where can someone seek mental health support in India?
Anyone in distress can contact iCall at 9152987821 or the Vandrevala Foundation helpline at 1860-2662-345, both of which are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
