An Indian student from Karnataka was found dead near UC Berkeley six days after going missing, prompting an outpouring of grief and raising concerns about student safety.
An Indian student from Karnataka, Saketh Sreenivasaiah, was found dead in California six days after he went missing near the University of California, Berkeley. Sreenivasaiah, who was pursuing a master’s degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, was last seen on February 9, approximately one kilometer from the campus, in the vicinity of Lake Anza and the Berkeley Hills.
Following his disappearance, local authorities initiated a search in and around Lake Anza and Tilden Regional Park. During the search efforts, a backpack containing Sreenivasaiah’s passport and laptop was discovered near a residence close to the park.
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco confirmed the recovery of Sreenivasaiah’s body. In a statement shared on social media, the consulate expressed its deep regret in informing his family and loved ones about the tragic news and extended its condolences.
The consulate also mentioned that it is coordinating with local authorities to assist the family with necessary formalities, including arrangements for repatriating his remains to India as soon as possible. Consular officers are in direct contact with Sreenivasaiah’s family in Karnataka.
Prior to the confirmation of his death, community members and fellow students rallied together to help locate Sreenivasaiah. A dedicated Reddit thread and numerous social media posts circulated his photographs and details, urging residents in the Berkeley area to report any information regarding his whereabouts.
His roommate had also made an appeal for public assistance, emphasizing that Sreenivasaiah had been missing since February 9 and was last seen near Lake Anza. The post highlighted the roommate’s desperate efforts to work with police in the search.
Sreenivasaiah was an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, where he completed his Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) before moving to the United States for his postgraduate studies. He had previously studied at Sri Vani Education Centre in Bengaluru.
Publicly available profiles indicate that he was one of six inventors listed on a patent for a “microchannel cooling system for hyperloop and a method thereof.” Friends and acquaintances described him as intelligent, humble, and loyal, noting his quick wit and academic dedication.
The case has drawn attention to the broader issue of safety for Indian students studying abroad. In response to a question raised in the Lok Sabha by MP Asaduddin Owaisi, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) recently outlined the measures it takes to safeguard Indian students overseas.
According to the MEA, Indian missions and posts maintain regular contact with Indian students in their jurisdictions, conduct pre-orientation sessions on potential risks and precautions, and monitor incidents of violence against them. The ministry stated that missions address any violent or untoward incidents with host governments and can provide consular assistance, including emergency medical support, temporary accommodation, and other essential services, utilizing the Indian Community Welfare Fund when necessary.
Local authorities in California are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Sreenivasaiah’s death.
This story has been republished with permission from Diyatvusa.com.