An 18-year-old college student who went missing from Bengaluru in January was traced nearly seven months later after investigators followed an Aadhaar-linked digital trail and an OTP sent to her husband’s mobile number.
The student, identified as Tanishka, had left her home in Vidyaranyapura on January 31 with her minor friend. The two told their families they were going to college but did not return. They had left their mobile phones and ATM cards at home and carried only their Aadhaar cards and college bags.
Police searched more than 100 locations
The girls remained untraced despite an extensive search. A 10-member police team investigated more than 100 locations across Bengaluru and other parts of the country, including Mumbai, Chennai, Coimbatore, Delhi, Varanasi, Kerala, Chamarajanagar and Mysuru.
A few days after disappearing, the girls had contacted friends and claimed they were at Male Mahadeshwara Hills. They said they would call again after a week, but no further contact was made.
Their families later approached the Karnataka High Court through a habeas corpus petition, seeking their recovery. The High Court transferred the investigation to the CID in April.
Girls had allegedly planned suicide
The CID investigation found that the girls travelled to temples in Mysuru and Chamarajanagar before reaching Male Mahadeshwara Hills.
According to a senior CID officer, the girls had initially planned to die by suicide after reaching the hills. However, they met two young men who spoke to them and persuaded them against taking the step.
The girls subsequently separated and left with one man each.
Student married man she met in hills
According to police, the family of the man who accompanied Tanishka accepted their relationship. Tanishka later married him at a temple, and the couple began living in a village in Kanakapura taluk.
Since Tanishka did not have a mobile phone or SIM card, investigators were unable to establish her location through conventional phone tracking.
Aadhaar registration led investigators to husband
The breakthrough came when investigators followed information linked to Tanishka’s Aadhaar card.
The CID found that she had used her Aadhaar details to register for a government health scheme. While applying, she had provided her husband’s mobile number. An OTP was subsequently sent to that number to complete the registration.
Investigators traced the number and reached Tanishka’s husband. After questioning him, the CID obtained information about her whereabouts and located the missing student.
Student found pregnant; minor friend still missing
Tanishka was produced before the Karnataka High Court after being traced and was subsequently handed over to her parents. Police said she is now married and pregnant.
However, the minor girl who had left home with Tanishka remains missing. The CID is continuing its efforts to trace her.
Student said she felt neglected at home
During questioning, Tanishka reportedly told investigators that she felt neglected by her family. She alleged that her parents often scolded her over her academic performance and that she believed they favoured her elder sister, who performed better in studies.
According to police, the minor girl also reportedly felt neglected at home. Investigators said she claimed that her parents wanted a son.
