The search operation in Rewa's Silpara canal was called off after nearly two weeks of intensive diving operations failed to locate missing textile businessman Arun Kumar Vishwakarma.

The multi-agency search operation in the Silpara canal was officially called off on Saturday evening after thirteen consecutive days of intensive diving operations yielded no results. Local authorities and SDRF teams have concluded that the missing Rewa cloth merchant, Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, who vanished under mysterious circumstances nearly two weeks ago, is likely not in the water body.

The decision to halt the canal search has shifted the focus entirely onto the police investigation, with family members demanding that the police probe alternative angles, including kidnapping.

Mystery Behind Sudden Disappearance

Arun Kumar Vishwakarma, a resident of the Dhobiya Tanki area in Rewa city, went missing on the night of May 18. The case took a serious turn three days later when the Bichhiya police recovered his motorcycle and footwear abandoned near the banks of the Silpara canal.

Fearing that the businessman might have drowned, local administration immediately deployed emergency teams to scan the deep waters.

Multi-District Teams Deployed

The scale of the operation expanded rapidly as local divers were joined by Specialized Disaster Response Force (SDRF) units from neighbouring Satna, Sidhi, and Shahdol districts. Over the last 13 days, rescue teams used motorboats and deep-diving equipment to scour multiple stretches of the canal.

To assist the divers, the water supply to the canal was completely shut down twice to lower the water levels, but the efforts brought no breakthroughs.

Timeline of Silpara Canal Incident:

• May 18: Arun Kumar Vishwakarma disappears under mysterious circumstances.

• May 21: Abandoned bike and slippers found near Silpara canal; SDRF starts search.

• May 25: Canal water flow stopped for the first time to aid divers.

• May 31: Advanced sonar systems deployed; search officially called off.

Advanced Sonar Systems Fail

According to SDRF In-charge Vikas Pandey, the search teams utilized state-of-the-art equipment during their final rounds. "We operated alongside teams from Satna, Sidhi, and Shahdol, deploying specialized underwater tools including the AquaEye sonar system," Pandey said.

"After thirteen days of continuous scanning, we found absolutely no traces or indicators of a body being present in the water. We kept the operation running this long respecting the emotions of the family, but we have now concluded the search in the canal," the SDRF official added.

Family Alleges Administrative Delay

Meanwhile, the family of the missing trader has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the initial pace of the rescue operations. Relatives alleged that they did not receive prompt cooperation from the police and the irrigation department during the crucial first few days. They argued that if the water flow had been regulated earlier, valuable evidence or a breakthrough might have been secured.

With the drowning theory yielding no physical evidence, local residents and family members are now urging senior police officials to investigate the possibility of an abduction or foul play.

Police Shift Focus to Technical Surveillance

The Bichhiya police station and cyber cell units are now redirecting their resources away from the canal bank. Investigative teams are currently analyzing the trader’s Call Detail Records (CDR) and tracking his last active mobile tower locations.

While the physical search has concluded, police officials stated that all alternative investigative angles remain wide open as the Rewa cloth merchant remains missing.