Gadag, 30 September

Police have got a crucial lead in the search for Parvez Dharwad, an Assistant Executive Engineer of the Gadag division of the Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL), who has been missing for 18 days.

Though Parvez switched off his mobile phone, police traced his movements through CCTV footage from various locations. His last mobile network location was detected in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, following which his phone was switched off.

As part of the investigation, police examined CCTV footage along his reported travel route and found Parvez at Bhopal railway station in Madhya Pradesh. His movements were captured by CCTV cameras at the railway station and nearby areas.

According to preliminary findings, Parvez switched off his phone after reaching Vijayawada, making technical surveillance difficult. Police examined footage covering nearly 1,200 km and indicated that he travelled from Vijayawada towards Bhopal.

Gadag superintendent of police Mithun HN said, “A police team from Gadag is currently monitoring his movements in Bhopal and examining CCTV footage from the railway station and surrounding areas to establish his subsequent destination”.

Police are also investigating whether Parvez is safe, the circumstances behind his disappearance and the purpose of his travel.