Karnataka IAS officer said to be missing had gone on leave, traced

IAS officer Gnanendra Kumar, whose reported disappearance had triggered a police search in Bengaluru, has been traced to his hometown, police sources said.

The officer had reportedly proceeded on leave to attend to personal work and a family emergency and travelled urgently to his hometown. He was upset over reports describing him as having mysteriously gone missing, sources said.

According to a senior police officer, Jnanendra Kumar had applied for leave before leaving Bengaluru. However, owing to the holidays, the leave application was reportedly not communicated to the concerned officials in time.

The officer was also not reachable on his official phone during the period, leading to confusion within the department and prompting a search for his whereabouts.

Home Minister Priyank Kharge also clarified the issue, saying there had been reports that a Karnataka IAS officer had gone missing. “The officer concerned has since communicated with the Government and clarified that, due to a family emergency, he had sought leave and had to travel urgently to his hometown,” Mr. Kharge said.