Nashik/Sambhajinagar: A 19-year-old engineering student from Sambhajinagar, studying at a private college in Nashik’s Mahiravani area, has been missing since May 18, triggering allegations of police inaction and sparking outrage among local activists.
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According to a complaint lodged by her father at the Trimbakeshwar Police Station in the early hours of May 19, the girl, a first-year B.Tech student residing in the Sandip Foundation (Mahiravani/Trimbakeshwar) college hostel, had last spoken to him on the evening of May 18. She had reportedly informed him that she was in college and would return to her hostel shortly. However, when she failed to call back and her phone was later found switched off, the family grew concerned.
The hostel authorities subsequently informed the family that she had not returned from college that day. Despite repeated attempts to contact her and inquiries among friends and relatives, her whereabouts remain unknown.
The father’s complaint also notes that the girl had gone missing earlier in February this year, when a missing report was registered at the same police station. She was later traced to Kharghar in Navi Mumbai within two days.
Police Summon Family of Abducter
The case has now taken a contentious turn, with local activists in both Nashik and Sambhajinagar alleging that the police have failed to act promptly despite the seriousness of the complaint.
They claim that a youth identified as Meezan Shaikh, a resident of Sambhajinagar and allegedly known to the girl, has also gone missing around the same time. Activists further allege that he is married with two children and had befriended the student prior to her disappearance.
Attempts by local groups to push for action in Sambhajinagar reportedly led to protests outside police offices, after which authorities assured swift action. However, activists claim that no concrete progress has been made so far.
However according to the latest development a Lady police officer had summoned the absconding man’s family for questioning at the local police station in Sambhajinagar. After returning home, the entire Shaikh family has left the home and a padlock is seen on the main door. No one has any idea of where they may have gone.
Social Media Amplifies Case
The issue gained traction after an Instagram post highlighting the case went viral, accusing the Trimbakeshwar police of inaction. Following the online attention, police officials on Friday (May 29) reportedly assured that efforts were underway to trace the missing girl at the earliest.
Investigation Status
As of now, there has been no official confirmation from the police regarding any abduction, coercion, or the involvement of the named individual. The girl’s distraught father has told Hindu activists that Meezan Shaikh has possibly trapped the girl for some reason, and there could otherwise be no reason why she would go away with a married man who is also the father of two children.
Family Awaits Answers
With over ten days having passed since her disappearance, the family continues to await concrete updates, even as pressure mounts on the police to expedite the search and clarify the circumstances surrounding the case.
During Ramzan, mass Namaz was held inside Sandeep Foundation College in Nashik, Maharashtra.
Videos show large-scale prayers on campus.
Activists say that while Hindu festivals face objections, Namaz was allowed in the college.
Names being mentioned include Vishal Sulakhe… pic.twitter.com/vHlwpdEq6u
— Angry Saffron (@AngrySaffron) February 27, 2026
Incidentally, the Sandip Foundation had been in news three months ago when it had begun promoting public namaz prayer meetings on its campus. Local activists had warned that when no other religion was allowed to be promoted in this blatant manner on campus, if this promotion of Islam was not halted, they will begin mangal aartis and Shri Hanuman Chalisa pathan publicly in the campus.
