Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22 year old postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley, has been reported missing in the United States, prompting search operations by local authorities and concern from Indian diplomatic officials.According to PTI and local media reports, Sreenivasaiah was last seen on Tuesday in the 1700 block of Dwight Way in Berkeley, California. His backpack, containing his passport and laptop, was later found on a doorstep in the Park Hills neighbourhood near Tilden Regional Park. The Berkeley Scanner news portal first reported details about the discovery, PTI reports.
Search operations underway
The Berkeley Police Department has said that a search is underway near Lake Anza in the East Bay area. Police stated that they are working with the East Bay Regional Park District to coordinate search efforts.“We are working with EBRPD to coordinate ongoing search efforts,” the Berkeley Police Department said, according to IANS. “We are still asking for the community’s help in locating him.”Police described Sreenivasaiah as approximately six feet one inch tall, weighing around 73 kilograms, with short black hair and brown eyes. Authorities have urged anyone with information to notify local law enforcement.IANS also quoted police as saying that Sreenivasaiah was reportedly upset about a relationship prior to his disappearance.
Consulate expresses concern
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco has expressed concern and said it is in touch with both the family and local authorities.In a post on social media platform X, the Consulate said, “Consulate General of India in San Francisco is deeply concerned about the disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian post graduate student of University of California, Berkeley, hailing from Karnataka. The Consulate is in touch with the family and also is in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student.”ANI said that the Consulate is coordinating with authorities and Sreenivasaiah’s parents as efforts continue to locate him.
Academic background
According to his LinkedIn profile, Sreenivasaiah is pursuing a Master of Science under the Product Development Programme at the University of California, Berkeley, for the academic year 2025 to 2026.He completed his Bachelor of Technology in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Madras between October 2021 and June 2025, graduating with a grade of 8.41 out of 10.Before that, he attended BASE PU College for pre university education and JEE preparation, and completed his schooling at Sri Vani Education Centre, where he scored 96.5 percent in his Class 10 board examinations.He says he is “a Masters student in the Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering department at UC Berkeley, with an undergraduate degree from IIT Madras.” He adds that he is “passionate about deep tech innovations in soft and active materials, semiconductors, and advanced materials,” according to his LinkedIn profile.
Diplomatic attention
The case has drawn attention from the Indian diplomatic mission in the US. The Consulate General in San Francisco remains in contact with authorities and the family as the search continues.Police have requested that anyone with information regarding Sreenivasaiah’s whereabouts contact local law enforcement.The investigation remains ongoing.(with inputs from Agencies)
