Archive · 9 Oct 2026
Khopoli Search Continues as Police Examine Missing Employee’s Disappearance
Rahul Sumit Mishra is a 23-year-old man who went missing near a forest area in Khopoli.
He had travelled there and reportedly planned to trek alone.
His motorcycle, phone, bag and shoes were found near a road by the forest.
Police and search teams looked in a nearby gorge and other places for several days.
They used experienced rescue teams and drones to help search.
They have not found Rahul.
Police say they do not yet have clear evidence that he had an accident.
They are also checking whether he may have left the area on his own.
His disappearance is still being investigated.
Rahul Sumit Mishra, a 23-year-old MNC employee from Pune originally from Nagpur, went missing near Khopoli’s Garmal forest area.
His motorcycle, mobile phone, bag and footwear were found near the Connecting Link/Missing Link point early Wednesday, October 7.
Mishra reportedly travelled to Khopoli on Tuesday and told family and his roommate he planned a solo trek; police are also examining information that he told friends on October 4 he wanted to leave for meditation and trekking.
Police, volunteers and rescue teams searched the gorge and surrounding terrain over multiple days, including with drone support, but found no trace of him.
Police said there was no clear indication of an accident and are exploring whether Mishra left voluntarily; the missing-person investigation and searches continue.
- Who
- Rahul Sumit Mishra, a 23-year-old MNC employee, Pune resident and originally from Nagpur.
- What
- He went missing; his motorcycle and personal belongings were found, and a multi-day search has not located him.
- When
- He was reported missing on Wednesday, October 7, 2026; the search continued through Friday, October 9.
- Where
- Near the Garmal forest gorge and Connecting Link/Missing Link point in Khopoli.
- Why
- The circumstances are unknown. Police are investigating and considering both an accident and the possibility that he left voluntarily.
Possible explanations
Evidence and uncertainty
Accident or voluntary departure
Possible explanations
The belongings found beside the forest area prompted concern that Mishra may have fallen into the gorge.
Evidence and uncertainty
Police said there was no clear indication of an accident and were exploring whether he may have left the area voluntarily.
Search findings
Possible explanations
Search teams combed the gorge and surrounding locations over multiple days, adding rescue specialists and volunteers.
Evidence and uncertainty
The searches yielded no clues about Mishra’s whereabouts, and police said the circumstances remained unclear.
- Missing person
- Rahul Sumit Mishra, 23
- Occupation
- MNC employee
- Items found
- Motorcycle, mobile phone, bag and footwear
- Search duration
- Search continued for a third consecutive day on October 9
- Search participants
- Khopoli police, Help Foundation, Shivdurg Mitra Mandal, Della Adventure and local volunteers
- Search methods
- Gorge and terrain searches, with drone cameras available for aerial surveillance
- Police assessment
- Police said there was no clear indication of an accident and were exploring whether he left voluntarily
