Indian Student Saketh Sreenivasaiah Missing in Berkeley

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old student from India, has been reported missing in Berkeley, California. He was last seen around February 9th or 10th near the UC Berkeley campus and Lake Anza. Police are asking for the public's help to find him. The Indian Consulate is also involved.
By Newsroom | Missing Persons, United States |

The disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, has prompted a search effort involving local authorities and the Indian Consulate. Sreenivasaiah, an alumnus of IIT Madras, was last seen on February 9th or 10th, and has been classified as an "at-risk" missing person. The Berkeley Police Department has sought public assistance in locating him, and his roommate has circulated appeals online, underscoring the gravity and public nature of the unfolding situation.

Timeline and Key Actors

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old student from Karnataka, India, is reported missing in Berkeley, California. He is pursuing a Master of Science in Product Development and a Master's in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley. Sreenivasaiah is also an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, graduating in 2025.

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  • Disappearance Date: Sreenivasaiah was last seen on February 9th or February 10th, 2024, depending on the report.

  • Last Known Location: Authorities state he was last seen around one kilometer away from the UC Berkeley campus, and specifically near Lake Anza in the Berkeley Hills.

  • Search Efforts: The search for Sreenivasaiah has entered its fifth day as of Saturday, February 14th.

  • Authorities Involved:

  • Berkeley Police Department: Leading the official search and issuing "at-risk" alerts.

  • Consulate General of India in San Francisco: Expressing concern, coordinating with local authorities, and communicating with Sreenivasaiah's family.

  • UC Berkeley: The institution Sreenivasaiah attends.

  • Support Network: Sreenivasaiah's roommate, Baneet Singh, has been actively seeking help and sharing information on social media platforms like LinkedIn.

Circumstances of Disappearance

Details surrounding Sreenivasaiah's disappearance are limited, though authorities have classified him as an "at-risk" missing person.

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  • The Berkeley Police Department has not released extensive details regarding the specific circumstances of his vanishing.

  • A backpack containing Sreenivasaiah's passport and laptop was discovered near Tilden Park, a location also in the vicinity of the campus and where he was last seen. This finding adds a layer of concerning evidence to the ongoing investigation.

Official Response and Public Appeals

The disappearance has garnered attention from both local law enforcement and the Indian diplomatic mission in the United States.

  • The Berkeley Police Department has issued a public appeal for information and an "at-risk" alert.

  • The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has stated it is "deeply concerned" and is actively engaged in the search, working alongside authorities and Sreenivasaiah's family.

  • Baneet Singh, Sreenivasaiah's roommate, has utilized LinkedIn to request assistance from the public in locating his friend, amplifying the call for information.

Educational Background and Personal Details

Sreenivasaiah's academic path provides a brief profile of the missing student.

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  • He holds an undergraduate degree from IIT Madras, a prominent Indian engineering institute.

  • At UC Berkeley, he is pursuing postgraduate studies in fields including Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Product Development.

  • He is described as having short black hair and brown eyes.

Investigative Focus: Areas of Concern and Evidence

The investigation into Saketh Sreenivasaiah's disappearance centers on specific locations and the discovery of personal effects.

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Last Known Sightings and Search Zones

Authorities have identified key areas of focus for the ongoing search efforts.

  • Sreenivasaiah was last observed in the vicinity of the UC Berkeley campus, specifically around one kilometer from the university.

  • The Berkeley Hills, including Lake Anza, have been designated as primary search zones due to these last known sightings.

Discovery of Personal Belongings

The finding of Sreenivasaiah's backpack provides tangible, albeit circumstantial, evidence.

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  • A backpack, confirmed to contain his passport and laptop, was located near Tilden Regional Park.

  • The proximity of this discovery to areas where he was last seen is a significant detail for investigators. Could the contents of the laptop offer clues?

Public Assistance and Information Dissemination

The involvement of the public has been solicited through various channels.

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  • The Berkeley Police Department has directly requested assistance from the community.

  • Baneet Singh, Sreenivasaiah's roommate, has disseminated appeals through social media platforms, specifically LinkedIn, leveraging his network to broaden the search radius for information.

Official and Diplomatic Involvement

The case has triggered a response from relevant government bodies, reflecting the international nature of the student's presence in the US.

Law Enforcement Classification and Alert

The designation of Sreenivasaiah as an "at-risk" missing person indicates the level of concern from authorities.

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  • The Berkeley Police Department has officially classified him as an at-risk missing person, signaling a potential for danger or vulnerability.

  • An at-risk alert has been issued, prompting a wider awareness and urging prompt reporting of any relevant information.

Consulate's Role and Engagement

The Indian Consulate General in San Francisco is actively involved in supporting the search and providing assistance.

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  • The Consulate has conveyed its deep concern over the disappearance.

  • They are in regular communication with both the local authorities and Sreenivasaiah's family, acting as a liaison and facilitating the exchange of information.

  • The Consulate's involvement underscores the international dimension of the missing person case and the support provided to Indian nationals abroad.

Analysis of Information Gaps and Next Steps

While an active search is underway, significant details surrounding Saketh Sreenivasaiah's disappearance remain undisclosed.

Unanswered Questions

Key aspects of the case require further clarification.

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  • The precise time and circumstances of his last confirmed sighting are not fully detailed by authorities.

  • The reasoning behind the "at-risk" classification has not been publicly elaborated upon.

  • What led to the discovery of the backpack, and were there any other items found at that location?

Potential Avenues for Investigation

Investigators will likely pursue several lines of inquiry.

  • Reviewing CCTV footage from areas surrounding his last known location and the discovery of his backpack.

  • Conducting interviews with individuals who may have seen Sreenivasaiah in the days leading up to his disappearance, including fellow students, faculty, and residents near Lake Anza.

  • Analyzing the contents of his laptop for any potential leads or communications that might shed light on his state of mind or plans.

The ongoing investigation relies on the public's cooperation and the diligent efforts of law enforcement and diplomatic channels to ascertain Sreenivasaiah's whereabouts and ensure his safety.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Who is Saketh Sreenivasaiah?
Saketh Sreenivasaiah is a 22-year-old student from India studying at the University of California, Berkeley. He is studying for a Master's degree.
Q: When was he last seen?
He was last seen on February 9th or 10th, 2024. He was near the UC Berkeley campus and Lake Anza.
Q: What is being done to find him?
The Berkeley Police Department is leading the search. The Consulate General of India in San Francisco is also helping. His roommate has asked the public for help.
Q: What has been found?
A backpack with his passport and laptop was found near Tilden Park, which is close to where he was last seen.
Q: Why is he considered 'at-risk'?
Police have not given exact reasons, but calling him 'at-risk' means they are concerned for his safety.