An Instagram story posted by an accused became the key clue in tracing a 15-year-old girl who had been missing for the past four months. After months of failed searches, Wathoda Police noticed the social media post and used it to track the accused and arrested him from Pune. A case regarding the missing minor girl was registered at Wathoda Police Station on September 28, 2025. Despite extensive searches in Wardha, Gondia, and Nagpur rural areas, the police did not find any concrete leads for several months. As there was no physical clue, the police continued both ground-level and technical surveillance. 

 

 

The breakthrough came three days ago when police received information that the accused was secretly using Instagram through Wi-Fi. Soon after, the accused posted an Instagram story wishing a friend on his birthday. This small digital footprint proved to be the turning point. Police took the accused’s friend into confidence and requested him to initiate contact on Instagram. A well-planned trap was designed by the police. Woman Police Constable Mayuri bravely assumed the role of the accused’s friend’s girlfriend. Using emotional messages, she told the accused, “We have run away from home and police are searching for us. Please give us shelter for two days.” Though the accused was initially hesitant, continuous communication helped gain his trust. The entire plan was shared with senior officers and was immediately approved by DCP Zone 5 Niketan Kadam. A special team comprising PSI Amol Patil, PC Kailas Shravankar, WPC Mayuri, and the accused’s friend left for Pune. The accused made the team wait for nearly 18 hours across Pune and Baramati and called them to Bhavani Nagar bus stop in Indapur. After confirming identities through an Instagram video call, the police laid the final trap and detained the accused.

 

 

During questioning, the accused confessed, and the missing 15-year-old girl was found safe. When police informed the girl’s mother over the phone, she broke down. The accused, Mayur Ramesh Waghere (22), a resident of Mhasgaon, Goregaon taluka, Gondia district, has been arrested. He was produced before the court, which granted two days of police custody remand for further investigation.