24-yr-old man reported missing at Sinhagad Fort found after 5 days
Pune, Aug. 26 -- After an intensive five-day search, a 24-year-old man who was reported missing during a visit to Sinhagad Fort last week was found at the Tanaji Cliff area on Sunday evening, officials said on Monday.
The man, identified as Gautam Gaikwad from Satara who had recently settled in Hyderabad, was admitted to hospital and his condition is reported to be stable.
According to the police, Gaikwad had visited Sinhagad Fort with his friends on August 20. While exploring the popular tourist spot, he left the group saying he had to attend nature's call, and went missing. His friends lodged a complaint at the Haveli Police Station, prompting search by the Pune Rural Police and rescue teams including local trekkers and mountaineering experts.
Meanwhile, a man resembling Gaikwad, wearing a hoodie and hiding his face, was spotted on CCTV footage. While the police found Gaikwad's footwear near the fort, his friends and family could not provide concrete leads during questioning, even as heavy rains and slippery terrain hampered rescue efforts.
However, on Sunday evening, Gaikwad reportedly called out to local residents after spotting them near the Tanaji Cliff area. A resident, Dattabhau Zorkar, alerted the Haveli Disaster Management Team and, later, Gaikwad was rushed to a hospital.
Sandip Singh Gill, superintendent of police (Pune Rural), said Gaikwad is in the fruit business and had been under debt, suggesting he may have staged his disappearance.
"He has been admitted to hospital and exact details will come out after detailed interrogation," Gill said.
While the initial probe suggests Gaikwad was involved in financial dealings with friends, no evidence has emerged so far....
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