A 29-year-old PhD student from IIT Powai, who had been missing for nearly two months after he left for trekking trip by himself, was found dead up on a hill on Friday. His skeletal remains were found and his identity was ascertained based on his valuables, on Saturday.
The deceased Shrinivas ShriBhograju (29) lived in a hostel in Powai and belonged to a well-to-do family. Early on October 25, he informed his family, based in Hyderabad, that he was leaving for a trek in Karjat. Shrinivas had gone for trekking trips by himself on several occasions in the past, said his friends.
Assistant sub-inspector K.A. Tadvi said, “His last call was made to his friend at 7 pm. He told him he was tired and had run out of water. He also said that his shoes had torn. He asked his friend to use Google and send him the contact number of a local person who could get help. His friend told us he tried sending him the police’s number.”
However, when he did not return and his phone turned out to be switched off, his father Vijeshsarthi Bhograju enquired with his friends and contacted the local police. The police checked his mobile tower location, which showed his last location to be in Sandsi village at the foot of a hill in Raigad district.
“There is a temple on the mountain and people go there to visit it. We spoke to people who said they saw Shrinivas there. He had also visited a fort, which was at a distance of 90 minutes from the spot where his remains were found. He probably lost his way while coming down from the temple and slipped and fell. But there is no eyewitness. We have ruled out suicide and foul play,” said senior inspector R.D. Bhosale of Karjat police.
“We have informed the villagers and tribals who lived in the areas. We showed them his photo and described his appearance. On Sunday morning, around 7 am his remains were spotted in Pethari area, located high on the hills. It was several kilometres ahead of Sandsi village. It took us about two and a half hours to reach there,” added Mr Bhosale.
He was identified through his clothes, phone, bag, valet, pan card, books and identity card. His father refused to accept that the body was of his son’s but later broke down on seeing the valuables retrieved from the remains.
