Hyderabad Woman Erases Digital Identity, Leads New Life Under Different Name: 5-Year Mystery Unraveled

In a baffling case that kept investigators puzzled for five years, Telangana’s women safety wing and anti-human trafficking unit have unraveled the enigma of a woman who vanished, wiped out her digital presence, and embarked on a fresh start with an entirely new identity.

This intriguing saga began when a 36-year-old married woman, from an affluent background, mysteriously disappeared from Humayunnagar in the city on June 29, 2018. She skillfully eliminated all traces of her digital and personal identity, including her religious affiliation. She even entered into a new marriage and changed her appearance while starting a new life with an NGO in Maharashtra.

Initially, her disappearance was linked to a conflict with her husband, after her father filed a habeas corpus petition in the Telangana high court. After years of pursuit, investigators made a breakthrough when they discovered an update to her Aadhaar card. They successfully traced her to Goa, where she was found leading a different life, utilizing facial recognition and digital investigative techniques.

Shikha Goel, the Additional Director General of Police from the women safety wing, stated, “While we have located several missing persons using digital technology, this case is exceptional. Initially, we suspected family members due to ongoing disputes, but it turned out to be a case of erasing one’s digital and personal identity to start anew.”