GADAG: Karnataka Rural Infrastructure Development Limited (KRIDL) Assistant Executive Engineer Parvez Dharwad, who had been missing for 40 days, has been traced to Mumbai by Gadag police. His recovery has brought relief to his family, while investigators are preparing to question him about the circumstances surrounding his disappearance.

According to reports published on October 23, police have taken the engineer into custody and are expected to bring him to Gadag on October 24 for further questioning. Investigators will seek to establish where he stayed during the period, how he travelled to Mumbai and why he remained out of contact with his family and workplace.

The case attracted attention across Karnataka after Parvez reportedly left a note referring to delayed government funding, pending payments for completed projects and alleged pressure from contractors and subcontractors.

Engineer went missing after leaving a note

Parvez, who was working in the Gadag subdivision of KRIDL, reportedly left his workplace on September 13 after informing his family that he was travelling to Bengaluru for an official meeting.

His family later struggled to contact him. When attempts to reach him failed, a complaint was registered at Betageri police station on September 16.

A note reportedly found on his office desk raised concerns about the non-release of government grants and outstanding payments for completed development works. According to reports, the note stated that contractors and subcontractors had repeatedly visited his office and residence to demand payment.

Parvez reportedly claimed that the shortage of funds had prevented the release of payments despite work being completed. The allegations prompted questions about the funding difficulties faced by the KRIDL subdivision and the pressure reportedly placed on officials responsible for project payments.

However, the claims contained in the note have yet to be fully examined by investigators, and the circumstances surrounding his disappearance remain under investigation.

Five special teams formed to trace him

Gadag Superintendent of Police Mithun H.N. supervised the search operation, with five special police teams formed to locate the missing engineer.

The investigation involved tracking available technical leads and examining CCTV footage from different locations. Police initially traced a mobile network signal associated with Parvez to Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. His phone was subsequently switched off, making it difficult for investigators to establish his movements through mobile network information.

The search later led police to Bhopal in Madhya Pradesh. CCTV footage from Bhopal railway station reportedly showed the engineer, providing investigators with an important lead.

Despite the breakthrough, police were unable to locate him immediately. The teams continued examining available information and following leads to establish his subsequent movements.

Their efforts eventually led them to Mumbai, where Parvez was traced after around 40 days.

Police to question him in Gadag

Following his recovery, police are expected to bring Parvez to Gadag on October 24 for detailed questioning. Investigators will attempt to reconstruct his movements since September 13 and establish where he stayed during the period.

The questioning is also expected to focus on his reasons for remaining away from his family and workplace, the people he may have contacted during his absence and the circumstances that led him to travel to Mumbai.

Police will also examine the allegations mentioned in the note concerning delayed government funding, pending payments and alleged harassment by contractors and subcontractors. The investigation is expected to help determine whether these issues were connected to his disappearance.

No conclusions have yet been established regarding the allegations, and further details are expected after police question the engineer.

Recovery brings relief to family

Parvez’s disappearance had caused prolonged uncertainty for his family, who had been waiting for information about his whereabouts since September.

The recovery marks a significant development in the search operation, although several questions remain unanswered. Investigators will now focus on understanding the sequence of events, verifying the information contained in the note and determining the circumstances that led to his disappearance.

The case has also drawn attention to the reported difficulties involving delayed project payments and funding shortages. Any findings concerning these issues will depend on the evidence gathered during the ongoing investigation.

Police questioning in Gadag is expected to provide further clarity on the 40-day disappearance and the events that preceded it.