Indian student from Karnataka missing in California; search underway

A 22-year-old Indian student from Karnataka, pursuing his post-graduate studies in California, US, has gone missing since February 9. The postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, has been identified as Saketh Srinivasaiah.

‘Considered to be at risk’

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has confirmed the news of his disappearance, stating that it was in touch with his family and local authorities. It further stated that efforts to locate the students were ongoing.

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“Consulate General of India in San Francisco is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian post-graduate student of UC Berkeley, hailing from the State of Karnataka. The Consulate is in touch with the family and is also in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student. @MEAIndia @IndianEmbassyUS,” stated the Consulate General of India in San Francisco in a post on X.

According to local media reports, Saketh has been described by police as 6-feet-1-inch tall with short, black hair and brown eyes. The reports further stated that, according to the police, Saketh is considered to be at risk, adding that police have urged people to come forward if they have any information about his whereabouts.

Last seen a kilometre from Berkeley

Authorities said he was last seen roughly a kilometre from the Berkeley campus.

In a subsequent development, a backpack believed to belong to Saketh was recovered near a residential property close to Tilden Regional Park, not far from the university. The bag reportedly contained his passport and laptop, reported NDTV.

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Officials initiated a citywide search operation, concentrating efforts around Lake Anza and the surrounding Berkeley Hills. Meanwhile, members of the Indian community and fellow students have taken to online platforms, circulating information and coordinating volunteer support as the search continues.

Parents seek help from NRI Association, MEA

His worried parents have sought help from the Non-Resident Indian Association and the Ministry of External Affairs, Aarti Krishna, vice-president of the association told The Federal Karnataka.

“Saketh’s father contacted me today (Saturday). Saketh was in touch with everyone till Sunday. He had called his mother on Monday night. However, when his mother called him back, he did not take the call. Later, the mobile was switched off,” she informed.

“Saketh’s father is from Tumkur. He is devastated to know about his son’s disappearance. I immediately spoke to officials from the Indian Embassy in San Francisco and the Ministry of External Affairs. The search operation has been intensified to find the young man,” said Aarti Krishna.

Bright academic history

Saketh is currently enrolled in a Master of Science programme in Product Development at the University of California, Berkeley, according to his LinkedIn profile. He previously completed a Bachelor of Technology in chemical engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras.

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“I’m a Masters student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UC Berkeley, with an undergraduate degree from IIT Madras. I'm passionate about deep-tech innovations in soft and active materials, semiconductors, and advanced materials,” Saketh describes himself on his LinkedIn.

Saketh completed his primary and secondary education at Sri Vani Education Centre in Bengaluru and later studied at the prestigious BASE PU College. Later, he obtained a BTech degree in Chemical Engineering from IIT Madras.