DNA Test Confirms Identity of Missing Pilgrim from Maharashtra in Badrinath After One Year

Authorities have identified the body of Dr. Anand Kumar Vishwanath Indi, a missing pilgrim from Maharashtra, using DNA testing after a year. His disappearance occurred during a visit to Badrinath, Uttarakhand.

Police have identified a pilgrim from Maharashtra who vanished from Badrinath, Uttarakhand, a year ago. This was achieved through DNA testing, officials reported on Friday. Dr. Anand Kumar Vishwanath Indi, from Solapur, disappeared mysteriously after visiting Badrinath in September last year. His brother, Dr. Devendra Vishwanath Indi, alerted the police about his disappearance.

The authorities registered a missing person report and launched a search for Dr. Anand but initially found no leads. A few days later, on October 19, an unidentified man's body was discovered in a decomposed state at Keshav Prayag. This location is the confluence of the Saraswati and Alaknanda rivers near Mana village.

DNA Testing Confirms Identity

Due to the body's decomposition, identifying the individual was challenging. Therefore, a sample was collected for DNA analysis. The DNA results matched with Dr. Devendra Vishwanath Indi's, confirming the identity of the deceased as Dr. Anand after more than a year.

The recovery of the body involved both police and the State Disaster Response Force. The discovery brought closure to the case that had remained unresolved for over a year.

This case highlights the importance of DNA testing in solving missing person cases where traditional identification methods fail due to decomposition or other factors.

With inputs from PTI