Body of Missing Pune Youth Found in Tamhini Ghat’s Devkund View Point Valley
Pune, 1st December 2024: The body of an 18-year-old Pune resident, Viraj Ishwar Phad, was recovered on Saturday (November 30) from Devkund View Point Valley in Tamhini Ghat after an extensive search operation. Phad, a resident of Kothrud, was reported missing on Monday (November 25).
The discovery began on Thursday (November 28) when tourists at Devkund View Point noticed a bag near a cliff containing a mobile phone and clothing. They reported this to staff at the nearby Plus Valley Hotel, who alerted the police.
Police officer Mahesh Pawar powered on the mobile phone found in the bag, which soon received multiple calls confirming it belonged to Phad. Acting on this lead, a coordinated search effort commenced, involving the police, rescue teams, and volunteers.
The Shelar Mama Rescue Team began searching from below the valley, while advanced drone equipment brought in by the RESQ Charitable Trust from Pune helped locate clues. The Sahyadri Wildlife Conservation Society and members of Deepak Nitrate Limited from Roha also joined the operation.
Drone footage revealed a slipper near a specific area, narrowing the search. Using safety equipment, rescue members descended into the deep gorge and eventually found Phad’s body under a tree. The body was retrieved using ropes and a stretcher and handed over to Pune rural police for further investigation.
The circumstances leading to Phad’s death are under investigation.
