It has been more than 5 days and still there is no clue where Mr. Lokanath Mahalingam, the nuclear scientist is? There is a massive manhunt launched to find out any traces by the Intelligence Bureau (IB) which is being helped by the Central Industrial Security Forces (CISF). Along with them the Karnataka Police is also searching for the scientists. He works at the Kaiga Atomic Power Station. It is reported that on June 8, 2009 in the morning he went for jogging and did not return back. There is no clue as of now to suggest if he has been kidnapped or if there is any other issue that can pose a grave security threat.

Geographically, the nuclear plant of Kaiga is surrounded by thick Western Ghats jungles. There is a possibility that the scientist might have been attacked by a leopard as reported by the Karnataka police. Karwar Superintendent of Police Raman Gupta says the possibility that Mahalingam was attacked by a wild animal, like a leopard, cannot be ruled out. “There are four investigating teams. We cannot negate any possibilities at this juncture .The area is surrounded by 100 acres of dense forests. Forest officers are also cooperating with us in the investigation. Their report is awaited. We are in touch with Kaiga authorities. They said he was in training and not dealing with sensitive information,” says Gupta. “His wife has lodged a complaint. They don’t have any specific doubts,” adds the SP.

According to the security agencies Mr. Mahalingam is a non classified scientist thus the possibility of him having access to confidential information is ruled out. There is no chance as speculated by the security agencies of him being abducted by any anti social elements or terrorist groups. Still there are many questions which have not found the answers. The first one: If the missing nuclear scientist was killed by a man-eating leopard from the surrounding forest why has the body not been found yet? Even after 3 days of massive search there is no result. There were no traces found of him being attacked by a wild animal on the route on which he used to jog. Question number 2: Why has the forest department not been involved in the search? Since the incidents calls for the forest department look into it as they have the strategic know how of the jungle. Third Question: Why did Mahalingam’s wife file a complaint two days after he went missing? The complaint should have been filed after few hours only if he was missing all of sudden.

The security agencies are leaving no stone unturned to find what exactly happened.