Gyanendra Kumar Gangwar, the Karnataka IAS officer whose sudden loss of contact prompted concern, is in his hometown in Uttar Pradesh because of a family emergency involving his father’s health, the state government said.

NDTV reported that Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge had spoken with Gangwar and that the officer had submitted a handwritten leave request. The minister said the absence was caused by a communication gap and was not connected to Enforcement Directorate searches.

ThePrint, carrying a PTI report, said Gangwar had been uncontactable since August 20 and had travelled after an urgent family situation. He is a 2016-batch IAS officer serving as director of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises in Karnataka’s Industries and Commerce Department.

The episode drew additional attention because Gangwar had previously served as controller of examinations at the Karnataka Public Service Commission. The KPSC has been under scrutiny in a separate investigation into alleged irregularities in recruitment examinations.

The minister said officials initially had limited information because Gangwar’s official phone was switched off while he travelled. Once communication was restored, the government said he was safe and that the reports of a disappearance had resulted from the lack of contact.

The available reports do not establish any link between Gangwar’s family emergency and the KPSC investigation. Any further administrative inquiry or leave decision will depend on official action, while the confirmed update is that the officer has contacted the government and is in Uttar Pradesh.