Sinhagad Mystery Ends: Missing Youth Gautam Gaikwad Found Alive After Four Days, Debt Angle Under Probe
Sinhagad Mystery Ends: Missing Youth Gautam Gaikwad Found Alive After Four Days, Debt Angle Under Probe
Pune, August 25, 2025: A missing youth from Pune, Gautam Gaikwad (24), who had disappeared from Tanaji Kada at Sinhagad Fort, has been found after four days. Initial investigation hints at a possible link to financial stress, though police are awaiting his full recovery before further questioning.
The Disappearance
Gautam, originally from Phaltan in Satara district and currently residing in Hyderabad, had come to Sinhagad Fort on August 20, 2025, with four friends – Mahesh Shinde, Himanshu Shukla, Vaishnavi Alagude, and Suraj Mali – for a monsoon trip.
According to his friends, while exploring Tanaji Kada in the evening, Gautam told them he was stepping aside briefly but did not return. After hours of searching, only his footwear was found near the cliff. Concerned, his friends contacted police via the emergency helpline.
Search Operations
Since the incident, disaster management teams and Haveli Police had been stationed at Sinhagad Fort and its base for a continuous search operation. CCTV footage from near the fort showed a young man running and hiding, believed to be Gautam, though confirmation was pending.
Found Alive
On August 24, at around 7:30 pm, local residents spotted movement near a gorge and discovered Gautam alive. He was escorted to safety and shifted for medical treatment.
Investigation Underway
Preliminary inquiry suggests Gautam may have staged his disappearance due to financial pressure. However, police will proceed with detailed questioning once his health improves.
