According to the police, an elderly man, identified as Gautham Ganguly, went missing on February 19 around 11 am from Veerannapalya. | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
The Govindapur police have successfully traced an 84-year-old man suffering from dementia who went missing in February after a 25-day search across Bengaluru.
According to police, an elderly man, identified as Gautham Ganguly, went missing on February 19 around 11 am from Veerannapalya. Subsequently, a missing person case was registered. Police said the missing man, described as wheatish-skinned and of medium build, suffered from mental illness.
Mr. Ganguly, who retired as a senior officer in the Calcutta port, came to stay in the city ten months ago. He left the house for a walk, got lost, and has been missing ever since.
After the complaint was filed, the police, led by senior officers, launched a massive investigation. Several special teams were formed to conduct searches in different parts of Bengaluru. Teams visited several police stations, railway stations, bus stands and other crowded public places in an attempt to trace him. Police also analyzed CCTV footage, disseminated information through social media platforms and inspected hospitals and shelters as part of the investigation.
Police found him walking near Bannerghatta, Byatarayanapura and Chamarajapete on CCTV footage. He was later found on the roadside after being hit by a two-wheeler while crossing the road in Bannerghatta. Several passers-by took him to the hospital, where a doctor treated him for multiple fractures.
Based on a medical and legal certificate from the hospital, the police managed to trace him and alerted the Govindapur police, who confirmed that he was indeed a missing man. In a heartwarming moment, police reunited Mr Ganguly with his family as an emotional father-son reunion unfolded at the police station marking the successful end of the operation.
Published – 25 March 2026 23:45 IST
