Pune, 23 August 2025: The disappearance of 24-year-old Gautam Gaikwad from Hyderabad at Sinhagad Fort has left police and locals puzzled, torn between the possibility of a tragic fall or a planned conspiracy.
Gautam had travelled to the fort on Wednesday evening with four friends and a female companion. The group spent time taking photos and videos before Gautam briefly stepped away, leaving his mobile phone with a friend. When he did not return, his companions began searching and discovered his slippers lying near a cliff close to the MTDC building. Despite hours of effort, neither Gautam nor any trace of him has been found.
The case took a mysterious turn when CCTV footage from the Kundanpur checkpoint showed a man in a hoodie running behind a vehicle about two hours after Gautam went missing. His face was covered, and police have not confirmed whether it was Gautam or someone else. The change of clothing has added to suspicions of possible foul play.
Police teams, assisted by the Forest Department, have launched large-scale search operations in the area. Investigators are working on two theories, either Gautam accidentally slipped near the cliff, or his disappearance was deliberately staged.
Family members describe Gautam as cheerful and energetic and have appealed to authorities for full support in the search. Meanwhile, citizens have raised concerns about the lack of protective barriers and poor CCTV coverage at the fort, urging the Tourism Department to strengthen safety measures.
For now, the fate of Gautam Gaikwad remains unknown, an accident or conspiracy, only the ongoing probe will decide.
