Missing Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah found dead in the US, Consulate confirms

The Consulate General of India in San Francisco on Sunday confirmed that local police have recovered the body of missing Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah, expressing deep regret and extending condolences to his family.

In a statement posted on X, the Consulate said it stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the bereaved family, including coordination with local authorities and arrangements to repatriate the mortal remains to India at the earliest. Consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them through required formalities and services, it added.

"The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police have confirmed the recovery of the body of the missing Indian student, Saketh Sreenivasaiah. We extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time. The Consulate stands ready to provide all necessary assistance to the family, including coordination with local authorities and arrangements for the repatriation of mortal remains to India at the earliest. Our consular officers are in direct contact with the family and will support them with all required formalities and services," the Consulate wrote on X.



The confirmation comes a day after the student was reported missing, triggering concern among Indian authorities and the diaspora.

Sreenivasaiah, a postgraduate student at the University of California, Berkeley and a native of Karnataka, had earlier been the subject of a search effort in which the Consulate said it was coordinating with local law enforcement and maintaining contact with his parents.

According to The Berkeley Scanner, his backpack, which consisted of his passport and laptop, was discovered on the doorstep of a residence in the Park Hills neighbourhood.

The incident has renewed attention on the safety of Indian students studying abroad, an issue periodically raised in Parliament.

In response to a question by Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in the Lok Sabha, the Ministry of External Affairs has previously said the government gives high priority to the security of Indian nationals overseas and closely monitors violent or distressing incidents involving students.

According to the ministry, Indian missions abroad regularly engage with host authorities to ensure proper investigation of such incidents and punishment of perpetrators where applicable.

Missions also maintain contact with students through outreach programmes, advisories, emergency helplines and welfare mechanisms, while financial and logistical assistance can be extended in times of distress through dedicated support frameworks.