After a 12-day search, Archana Tiwari, a 29-year-old civil judge aspirant who mysteriously disappeared during a train journey in Madhya Pradesh, has been found in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. Tiwari, a resident of Katni, had been living in Indore while preparing for the civil judge examination and was also a practicing lawyer at the Indore bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court.
On August 7, 2025, Tiwari boarded the Indore–Bilaspur Narmada Express from Indore, intending to travel to her family in Katni. She was last seen in coach B3 of the train. According to her relatives, she last spoke on the phone around 10:15 PM, telling her mother that the train was near Bhopal. Shortly after the phone call, her mobile was switched off, and she vanished without a trace.
When she did not reach her destination, her family grew concerned. Her bag was later found abandoned at Umaria station, but she was nowhere to be seen. The bag contained a rakhi, a handkerchief, and gifts she had packed for Raksha Bandhan. This discovery heightened concerns, and the family reported her disappearance to the Rani Kamalapati GRP (Government Railway Police) police station in Bhopal.
The GRP initiated a massive search operation, involving multiple agencies, including the Railway Protection Force (RPF), local police, and the forest department. Alerts were issued across nearby districts and railway stations, and her photos and details were widely circulated on social media. Police scanned CCTV footage from various stations, including Rani Kamlapati, Itarsi, and surrounding areas. Divers were even engaged to search for her in the Narmada River, considering the possibility that she might have fallen into it.
The investigation revealed that Tiwari was spotted at Rani Kamlapati station in Bhopal. Witnesses also placed her on the train at Itarsi. Her phone's last signal was traced to the Narmada railway bridge area in Narmadapuram district. Further investigation revealed that her train ticket had been booked by a police constable posted in Gwalior, who is now being questioned.
After 12 days of extensive searching, GRP personnel finally located Archana Tiwari in Lakhimpur Kheri, Uttar Pradesh, near the Indo-Nepal border. Superintendent of Police (Railways) Rahul Kumar Lodha confirmed that a team was bringing her back to Bhopal. Lodha also mentioned that her statement would be recorded to uncover the details of the entire episode. While her family had earlier suspected human trafficking and sought a CBI probe, Lodha did not comment on this angle. SP Lodha confirmed that Archana was safe and unharmed.
Archana's family has expressed immense relief following the news of her discovery after nearly two weeks of uncertainty and tension. Questions remain about her whereabouts during the 12 days and the circumstances surrounding her disappearance. Police say they are continuing their probe to establish the full picture.
