The disappearance of Advait Upadhyaya, a Bengaluru-based software professional originally from Indore, Madhya Pradesh, has taken a troubling turn, with investigators uncovering a trail of disturbing digital searches and complex personal circumstances as search operations at Shivagange Hill entered another day on Tuesday, 11 August. Police have not confirmed any death and are pursuing multiple angles simultaneously.

Search Operation at Shivagange

Teams from Kadugodi and Nelamangala police stations, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), fire and emergency services, and other units continued combing the rugged terrain of Shivagange Hill and its surroundings. Drones and specialised equipment are being deployed to scan sections of the hill that are otherwise inaccessible on foot. The operation is being led by Nelamangala Town Circle Inspector Bharat Gowda. The Shantala Drop — a steep, difficult section of the hill — remains a key focus area, given the challenging topography where a person could potentially have fallen or become trapped.

What the Digital Trail Reveals

Investigators recovered Upadhyaya's laptop from his residence in Kadugodi and found that it had been used to search for information about Shivagange Hill, including its height, directions to Shantala Drop, and how to climb the area. More significantly, according to police sources, searches conducted through an AI tool allegedly included queries about how long a person might survive after falling from the hill and the consequences of such a fall. These findings have led investigators to explore the possibility that Upadhyaya may have planned to take his own life. Police have, however, stressed that no definitive conclusion has been reached and that all angles remain open.

The Mobile Phone and Drone Mystery

Upadhyaya had reportedly carried a mobile phone and a drone camera when he set out for the trek. Both devices were later found at the Shantala Drop area — without him. Investigators suspect that another individual may have picked up the mobile phone from the spot, as it remained active for a period before switching off. Police are examining whether anyone else was present in the vicinity when he disappeared, and call detail records are being scrutinised to trace any contact made from the device after it was found.

Personal Life Under Scrutiny

Investigators are also examining Upadhyaya's personal relationships. According to his call detail records, he was in contact with several young women and had exchanged messages with them. Police have reportedly learnt that he had a girlfriend despite being engaged to another woman. Investigators are probing whether he was reluctant to go through with the engagement and whether that tension could have played any role in his disappearance. The woman he was engaged to had reportedly made repeated calls to him after he stopped responding on 7 August.

Timeline and Key Movements

Police suspect Upadhyaya may have first visited Shivagange as early as 4 August — ahead of his reported trekking trip on 7 August. On 7 August, he reportedly began the trek and sent a photograph to his fiancée before going silent. A separate photograph taken by another tourist reportedly shows him at the hilltop. Investigators are examining this image alongside CCTV footage from surrounding areas to reconstruct his movements before and after he reached the hill. Police are also probing whether Upadhyaya, described as highly skilled in technology, had any involvement in hacking or cybersecurity-related activities — his digital devices and communication records are being examined as part of this line of inquiry.

With no confirmed sighting of Upadhyaya in the areas around Shivagange village, the investigation remains open across accident, suicide, and other possibilities. Authorities say the search and probe will continue until his whereabouts are established.