Bengaluru, 14 August (H.S.):Authorities have halted the physical search for 31-year-old cybersecurity professional Advait Upadhyay, who went missing from Shivagange Hill on August 7, after an extensive combing operation failed to locate him.

Shivagange Hill, known for its steep slopes and rugged terrain, is situated about 50 km northwest of Bengaluru.

Bengaluru Rural Superintendent of Police Chandrakanth confirmed that the search on the hill had been called off. Investigators will now concentrate on technical evidence and examine Advait's digital footprint in an attempt to establish the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

More than 100 personnel from the National Disaster Response Force, State Disaster Response Force, Forest Department and local police participated in the operation. The teams searched difficult stretches of the hill, including cliffs, rocky outcrops and other potentially hazardous areas.

In a final major effort, renowned rock climber Jyothiraj, popularly known as Kothiraj, and members of his team examined the steep cliffs around Shantala Drop, located at an elevation of nearly 4,800 feet. However, the operation did not yield any clue regarding Advait's whereabouts.

Advait, an IIT graduate from Indore, was reportedly preparing to get married soon. Police said he possessed considerable expertise in cybersecurity and had an extensive social network, aspects that investigators are examining as part of the inquiry.

With the ground search producing no breakthrough, police are analysing his mobile phone records, online accounts, digital communications and other technical data. Investigators are also attempting to reconstruct his movements and contacts in the period leading up to his disappearance.

Police have not ruled out any possibility, including whether Advait may have deliberately staged his disappearance. However, officials said there was no conclusive evidence at present to support any particular theory.

The Kadugodi police, who registered the missing-person complaint, will continue the investigation with a focus on digital and circumstantial evidence.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman