A Border Security Force inspector, trained for decades in tracking and perseverance, is now engaged in the most personal mission of his life: searching the Himalayas for his missing son. Raghuraj Chauhan (57), a BSF inspector, has been climbing mountain trails, crossing rivers, and combing forests in Uttarakhand alongside police and disaster response teams for days, looking for his 28-year-old son Abhishek Chauhan, a software engineer who vanished during a trek to Pindari Glacier in late May.
Abhishek's Love for the Mountains
Abhishek, a senior software engineer at Larsen & Toubro based in Noida's Sector 80, frequently escaped to the Himalayas to trade office deadlines for winding roads and remote valleys. His camera was a constant companion. Originally from Shamli in Uttar Pradesh, he studied in BSF schools across the country before his family settled in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where his father is currently posted.
Family's Account
His sister Poonam Chauhan, a data analyst in London, described his passion for travel: 'He never got tired of travelling. We moved cities every few years because of our father's postings. Most children would dislike that, but bhai developed a love for journeys.' The second of three siblings, Abhishek remained close to a large circle of friends, many from defence families, with whom he explored challenging mountain routes like Leh-Ladakh and Spiti Valley. He usually travelled with companions; solo trips were uncommon. 'This was one of those rare occasions when he went alone,' Poonam said.
The Disappearance
On May 27, Abhishek called his mother, Jagwati Devi, after reaching Bageshwar, mentioning plans to visit a temple but not informing his family about the glacier trek, though some friends were aware. That night, he checked into a homestay in Khati, the last inhabited village on the Pindari Glacier route. Police said the homestay owner arranged for a local resident, Anand Ram, to accompany him the following morning. On May 28, the two began the trek and camped near the glacier. The next day, while descending towards Khati, Abhishek disappeared.
Search Operations
According to Anand, the two reached Maliyadhar on their return, about 2km before a halt known as 'Maggi Point'. Abhishek allegedly stopped to take photographs and asked Anand to walk ahead and prepare food. When Abhishek did not arrive after an hour, Anand retraced his steps but could not find him, then alerted locals and authorities. The next day, search teams recovered Abhishek's camera nearly 80 metres below a steep cliff. Days later, his jacket was found on rocks along the Pindar river downstream. Police suspect he may have slipped into a gorge and been swept away by the river.
Family's Demands
By the time Raghuraj Chauhan, accompanied by two BSF colleagues and one of Abhishek's friends, reached Khati on May 31, teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), police, forest department, and local volunteers were already searching. Drones and a dog squad were deployed, but no trace was found. Poonam and her husband flew in from London. Friends and relatives joined the effort. Abhishek was expected to return to Noida by May 30 and resume work the next day.
On June 7, Raghuraj Chauhan submitted a written complaint seeking registration of an FIR against Anand, alleging inconsistencies in his account. The family has sought to know why Abhishek was left alone on a difficult trail and demanded scrutiny of Anand's phone records, location data, and movements after the disappearance. Questions have also been raised about the homestay owner's role. Relatives have written to the Prime Minister's Office, Uttar Pradesh chief minister's office, and the defence and home ministries, seeking a crime branch probe.
Official Response
Bageshwar Superintendent of Police Jitendra Mehra said seven teams comprising around 30 personnel are involved in the search. Nearly 25km of the trekking route, along with stretches of the Pindar river, have been combed. 'We have questioned the person accompanying Abhishek several times, but no evidence of foul play has emerged so far. All angles, however, are being examined,' Mehra said.
Mother's Hope
Back in Gandhinagar, Jagwati Devi continues to hold on to hope. 'We are not giving up. If he had fallen into the gorge, someone would have found him by now because the search has been so extensive. We are satisfied with the efforts being made and are also doing everything we can.' Between hope and heartbreak, the Chauhans continue their search, convinced that somewhere beyond the forests, cliffs, and riverbeds, Abhishek is still waiting to be found.
