Indian Student Saketh Sreenivasaiah Missing in US, Search Underway

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian student hailing from Karnataka, has been reported missing in California, United States, since early February 2026. Sreenivasaiah, a postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, was last seen on either February 9th or 10th, 2026. Reports indicate he was last observed in the vicinity of Lake Anza in the Berkeley hills or the 1700 block of Dwight Way in Berkeley. Concern for Sreenivasaiah's safety escalated after his backpack, which contained his passport and laptop, was discovered on a doorstep in the Park Hills neighborhood. This discovery prompted the Berkeley Police Department to classify him as an 'at-risk missing person,' underscoring the serious nature of his disappearance. Police have released a description of Sreenivasaiah, stating he is approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighs about 160 pounds (73 kg), and has short black hair and brown eyes. While authorities have not disclosed further details regarding the specific circumstances surrounding his disappearance, the 'at-risk' classification suggests significant concern for his well-being. Saketh Sreenivasaiah's academic background reveals he is pursuing a Master's degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at UC Berkeley. Prior to his studies in the US, he completed his Bachelor of Technology degree in Chemical Engineering from the prestigious Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras in 2025. This detail verifies the initial claim in the Times of India article regarding his graduation from IIT Madras in 2025, clarifying that it refers to his undergraduate studies before commencing his postgraduate program at UC Berkeley. The news of Sreenivasaiah's disappearance has garnered significant attention from both Indian and American authorities. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has expressed profound concern over the situation, confirming that it is in continuous communication with Saketh's family and cooperating with local law enforcement agencies to locate him. An official statement from the Consulate General reiterated their deep concern for the Indian postgraduate student from Karnataka. Compounding the urgency of the search, Saketh's roommate, Baneet Singh, took to LinkedIn to appeal for public assistance. Singh's post highlighted that Saketh had been missing since early in the week and urged anyone with information or who might have seen him to come forward immediately. The roommate emphasized his desperate efforts to work with the police department to ensure Saketh is found, acknowledging the difficult time for those close to him. Multiple credible news outlets, including India Today, Hindustan Times, The Quint, and The Economic Times, have extensively covered the story, drawing information from local US sources like The Berkeley Scanner and SFGate, further corroborating the details of his disappearance and the ongoing search efforts. The search operation is reportedly focused on the East Bay area, particularly near Lake Anza, with coordinated efforts between the Berkeley Police Department and the East Bay Regional Park District. The classification of Sreenivasaiah as an 'at-risk' individual means that police believe he may be in danger or unable to care for himself, intensifying the urgency of the search. The involvement of the Indian diplomatic mission underscores the international dimension of this incident and the concern within the Indian diaspora. The collaborative approach between the Indian consulate and US local authorities is crucial in these types of cross-border missing person cases. The widespread media coverage, both in India and the US, aims to raise public awareness and solicit any potential leads that could aid in locating Saketh Sreenivasaiah. The family and friends of Saketh are undoubtedly enduring immense distress, and the continuous efforts of authorities and the community offer a glimmer of hope for his safe return. The police continue to urge anyone with relevant information to contact local law enforcement agencies. This ongoing situation highlights the challenges faced by international students and the importance of support networks and robust emergency response systems. The detailed information about his academic background from IIT Madras and UC Berkeley helps to establish his identity and the legitimate reason for his presence in the US, counteracting any potential misinterpretations. The concerted efforts by multiple agencies and individuals reflect the gravity of the situation and the hope that Saketh Sreenivasaiah will be safely located.

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