The anxiety of facing his PU examinations pushed Diganth, a student from Farangipete, to leave home on February 25. After an intense 10-day search, he was finally located in Udupi, confirmed Dakshina Kannada SP Yathish N during a press briefing on March 9.

Diganth, who had excelled with 80% in SSLC, struggled with his PU studies and feared underperforming. Overwhelmed, he walked along the railway tracks to Arkula, then hitched a ride to Mangaluru’s private bus stand. His journey took him to Shivamogga by bus, then to Mysuru by train. He later reached Kengeri without a ticket before heading to Nandi Hills, where he worked at a resort to earn money.

Continuing his travels, he returned to Mysuru and took the Murudeshwara Express, alighting in Udupi. Stranded and out of cash, he tried to flee a shopping center without paying, which led to his discovery by the police.

Addressing concerns, SP Yathish ruled out kidnapping. Regarding blood stains on his abandoned slippers near the railway track, he clarified they were from a self-inflicted foot injury. Diganth had discarded his footwear and phone at the spot.

Rejecting allegations of police negligence, SP Yathish emphasized that the force had formed seven teams, conducted combing operations, and deployed canine squads and drones to trace him. “We remained fully committed to finding him,” he stated.