More than 120 personnel are searching for missing trekker Babita Pandey in Uttarkashi after she vanished from Goi Base Camp during a Dayara Bugyal trek. The case has widened to include questioning of her two companions and scrutiny of an allegedly forged permit.
The search for 23-year-old trekker Babita Pandey, who has been missing in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district since May 29, has intensified with authorities deploying more than 120 personnel from multiple agencies across the region.
A joint search operation involving the police, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, Forest Department, Nehru Institute of Mountaineering, Disaster Management QRT, dog squad, SOG, local residents and guides is currently underway. Three search teams have been deployed along separate routes, while three drone teams are assisting in the operation.
Babita disappeared from Goi Base Camp during a trek to Dayara Bugyal. Despite several days of extensive search efforts, no trace of her has been found so far. Search teams are carrying out intensive combing operations across hiking routes, forests, ravines, streams, dense bushes and other difficult terrains.
BABITA WENT TO TREK WITH FRIENDS
According to police, Babita had travelled to Uttarkashi with her friends Harmanpal Singh from Udham Singh Nagar and Harmanpreet Singh from Uttar Pradesh’s Shahjahanpur district. After visiting Harsil, Gangotri and nearby tourist destinations, the group stayed in Raithal village on May 28. CCTV footage last captured Babita with her friends in the village.
The trio began their trek to Dayara Bugyal on May 29 and spent the night at Goi Base Camp. Police said Babita went missing from the campsite around midnight.
Authorities have also conducted an aerial search using a helicopter to scan Dayara Bugyal and nearby inaccessible areas. Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Kamlesh Upadhyay said a case has been registered under Section 140(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and Babita’s two companions have been arrested for questioning. Investigators are examining all possible angles, including the possibility of a personal dispute.
NO VALID PERMITS WERE GIVEN
Meanwhile, officials discovered that no valid digital permits had been issued to the trekkers through the official Explore Uttarkashi portal. The tourism department alleged that the Raithal-based trekking agency Pro Mountain used a forged permit, leading to the suspension of its registration on fraud charges.
As the search enters another crucial phase, authorities have appealed to the public to share any information that could help locate Babita.
