BERKELEY, CA — A massive search operation is underway in Northern California for Saketh Sreenivasaiah, a 22-year-old Indian post-graduate student at the University of California, Berkeley. Saketh, who hails from Karnataka, was reported missing earlier this week, prompting the Consulate General of India in San Francisco to express “deep concern” and mobilize resources to assist in the search.+1
According to the Berkeley Police Department, Saketh is considered an at-risk missing person. The investigation has intensified following the discovery of personal belongings near a regional park.+1
1. Timeline of Disappearance
- Last Seen: Monday, February 9, or Tuesday, February 10, 2026 (local time).
- Location: He was last spotted in the 1700 block of Dwight Way, near McGee Avenue, approximately one kilometer from the UC Berkeley campus.
- The Search Zone: Search efforts are currently focused on Lake Anza and the surrounding Berkeley Hills area after his roommate, Baneet Singh, reported him missing.
2. Critical Evidence Found
In a worrying development, investigators recovered Saketh’s backpack on a doorstep in the Park Hills neighborhood, adjacent to Tilden Regional Park.
- Contents: The bag contained his passport and laptop, items that a student would typically carry, suggesting a sudden or unplanned departure from the area.
- Condition: Police noted that Saketh was reportedly “upset about a relationship” prior to his disappearance, which has added to the urgency of the “at-risk” classification.
3. About Saketh Sreenivasaiah
Saketh is a high-achieving student with a background in elite engineering institutions.
| Detail | Description |
| Education (Current) | MS in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (UC Berkeley) |
| Education (Previous) | B.Tech in Chemical Engineering from IIT-Madras (2025) |
| Physical Appearance | 6’1″ tall, ~160 lbs, short black hair, brown eyes |
| Hometown | Karnataka, India |
4. Diplomatic and Community Response
The Consulate General of India in San Francisco issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, February 14:
“The Consulate is in touch with the family and also is in contact with the concerned local authorities to locate the student.”
Classmates and members of the Indian diaspora have also launched a social media campaign to spread awareness, with his roommate appealing to the Bay Area community for any leads or sightings near the East Bay regional parks.