New York (PTI): A 22-year-old Indian postgraduate student has gone missing in the US state of California, prompting efforts by authorities to locate him.

Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a UC Berkeley student hailing from Karnataka, disappeared on Tuesday, local media reported, quoting the police.

His backpack, with his passport and laptop, was found on a doorstep in the Park Hills neighbourhood, The Berkeley Scanner news portal reported.

The Indian consulate in San Francisco expressed deep concern about his disappearance.

"...deeply concerned about the disappearance of Saketh Sreenivasaiah, an Indian postgraduate student of UC Berkeley, hailing from the State of Karnataka," it said in an X post.

"The Consulate is in touch with the family and also is in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student," it added.

Sreenivasaiah was last seen in the 1700 block of Dwight Way, the report quoted police as saying.

He is described as approximately 6 feet 1 inch tall, weighing around 73 kilograms, with short black hair and brown eyes.

Police urged anyone with information about Sreenivasaiah to notify local law enforcement.

Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.



Dharwad (Karnataka) (PTI): A college student allegedly died by suicide here, following which three policemen were suspended over allegations of harassment linked to his death by the victim's family.

Aditya Myageri, a BSc student at a private college here, was among 18 students detained by the Vidyagiri police on April 25 during an anti-drug drive, police said on Wednesday.

He hailed from Belur village in Bagalkot district, but was staying with his friends at a rented accommodation in Girinagar area of Dharwad city, police said.

Among the 18 students tested, Aditya was among the 10 who had tested negative for ganja consumption and was subsequently released.

Some of his roommates, however, tested positive.

According to police, Aditya's family alleged that despite testing negative, he was harassed by police. They also claimed some policemen demanded Rs 2,000 to settle the matter and threatened legal action if he failed to pay.

He had called his mother asking for money, but she could not arrange it immediately, the family claimed.

On Monday night, Aditya allegedly died by suicide by hanging from a ceiling fan at his rented accommodation, with his family alleging police harassment and pressure over demand for money drove him to the extreme step, a senior police officer said.

Police Commissioner N Shashi Kumar told PTI that an unnatural death case has been registered at Vidyagiri police station. Three policemen have been suspended over the allegations, and further investigation is underway.