Shreya Narendra Patil, a 20-year-old law student from Navi Mumbai, who was reported missing after she visited Lonavala on January 30, was found dead in a 400-feet-deep gorge at Pune’s Tiger Point on Sunday. The Pune Rural Police have launched a probe into the sequence of events leading to the death. According to police officials, Shreya had come to Lonavala alone on January 31. Preliminary findings suggest she travelled to the area by autorickshaw. Her family told police that she had informed them she was going for a trek near Duke’s Nose, but she did not return home by evening.
After losing contact with her, the family arrived in Lonavala and registered a missing person complaint at the Lonavala Rural Police Station on Sunday. During the search, police received information about a bag found at Tiger Point, located over 10 kilometres away from Duke’s Nose. The bag was later confirmed to belong to Shreya. Following this, search and rescue teams from Shivdruga Mitra Trekkers were called in. Police also deployed drones and a disaster response team to intensify the operation. At around 5 pm on Sunday, Shreya’s body was spotted by a drone camera deep inside the gorge. The rescue team retrieved the body around 9 pm.
Deputy Superintendent of Police Gajanan Tonpe said investigations indicate that the student reached Tiger Point alone in a rickshaw. The driver has been identified and his statement will be recorded. Police have initiated a detailed probe to ascertain the exact sequence of events that led to her death. Further investigation is ongoing.