Pune: Missing Std XII Student and Distant Relative Found Dead in Junnar Gorge; Police Suspect Suicide
Pune News, June 25, 2025: In a tragic incident, the highly decomposed bodies of a 17-year-old Std XII student and her 40-year-old distant relative were recovered from a 1,200-foot-deep gorge at Kokan Kada in Junnar, approximately 150 km from Pune. The discovery was made on Monday, June 23, after days of intense search operations.
The student, identified as Rupali Santosh Khutan from Amboli village, had been missing since June 14, while the man, Ramchandra Sahebrao Pardhi, a revenue officer posted in Ahilyanagar, was reported missing on June 19. Both were distant relatives, and preliminary investigations suggest they were in a relationship.
Suicide Suspected, Notes Found
Several reports stated that two suicide notes were recovered—one from the girl blaming her parents for harassment and another from the man holding his wife and her relatives responsible for their extreme step. The notes, along with their mobile phones and car keys, were allegedly thrown into the gorge before they jumped.
Challenging Rescue Operation
The rescue operation, led by the 14-member Junnar Rescue Team, was arduous due to the steep terrain and adverse weather conditions. Members of the rescue team recounted that the bodies, found 150 feet apart, were bloated and required careful extraction. The operation lasted 12 hours, with the bodies finally retrieved by 9 PM on Monday.
Discovery Triggered by Parked Car
The investigation began after locals noticed a white SUV parked near Kokan Kada for several days. Footwear belonging to the victims was found near the cliff, prompting authorities to launch a search. Heavy rain and fog delayed the operation, which resumed the following morning.
Families in Shock
Pardhi is survived by his wife, son, and daughter, while Rupali leaves behind her parents and elder sister. Police have registered an accidental death case, with further investigations underway to determine the exact circumstances leading to the tragedy.
