Pune, 13 February 2026: A tragic incident was reported at Lonavala’s popular tourist destination, Lions Point, where a 32-year-old IT engineer from Pune allegedly ended his life by jumping into a deep gorge. The deceased was identified as Virendra Sinha, who worked with an IT company in Baner.
The incident came to light early Thursday morning when local police found an abandoned car parked near Lions Point along the Mumbai–Pune Highway. After checking the vehicle registration details, officers confirmed that it belonged to Sinha.
When a search of the surrounding area failed to locate him, police suspected that he may have fallen or jumped into the ravine, which is approximately 250 feet deep.
During the investigation, police discovered that before the incident, Sinha had sent emails and messages to his wife and close friends, indicating that he was under severe mental stress and was considering taking a drastic step. The messages were noticed only after the incident, raising concern among family members and investigators.
A joint rescue operation was launched by the Lonavala Rural Police, the Shivdurg Rescue Team, and volunteers from the Maval Wildlife Protection Organization. After a difficult and risky effort, teams descended into the steep gorge and recovered the body.
Following the tragedy, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) demanded stronger safety measures at Lions Point, citing repeated reports of suicides and accidents at the location. The party has urged authorities to install barricades, improve security, and introduce round-the-clock surveillance to help prevent similar incidents.
Police said the investigation is ongoing, and officers are examining the victim’s digital communication and personal circumstances to understand the exact reason behind the incident.
