Indian student goes missing, family suspects foul play

MELBOURNE: An Indian student has gone missing in Auckland, New Zealand and his close relatives, with whom he was living, suspect 'foul play' in his disappearance.

23 year-old Srikanth Rayadurgam, who was to start a diploma in culinary arts at Auckland University of Technology, is reported missing since October one, after he failed to return to his sister's home in Mt. Albert, nzherald newspaper reported quoting local police.

Rayadurgam came to New Zealand in February and was living with his older sister and her family and working part-time as a chef in an Indian restaurant, before starting his course.

His desperate family launched a search for him after finding Rayadurgam has withdrawn NZD 250 on the day he went missing. His brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor found his empty wallet found dumped on a cycle track nearby, his left shoe, bag and coat stuffed under a rock on the beach.

Auckland police, on being informed, made aerial and boat searches in the area and even vessel divers, but are still to trace the missing Indian student.

"He would not have put himself into the water. Based on the clues we have got it's definitely foul play," Nagesh said, as the family awaits a word on him.

Meanwhile, the Indian High Commissioner has approached the New Zealand authorities to extend all assistance to trace Rayadurgam.