Indian Student Saketh Sreenivasaiah Found Dead in California, Family Awaits Official Confirmation
In a tragic development, the Consulate General of India in San Francisco has confirmed the death of 22-year-old Indian student Saketh Sreenivasaiah in Berkeley, California. The confirmation came through a post on social media platform X, three days after Saketh was first reported missing from the area.
Consulate Confirms Death Through Social Media Post
The Consulate General of India posted on X at 5:12 AM on February 15, stating: "The Consulate deeply regrets to inform that local police confirmed the recovery of the body of Saketh." The post further expressed heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time.
According to the Consulate, Saketh was pursuing a postgraduate degree in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the prestigious University of California, Berkeley. Reports indicate he was last seen in the 1700 block of Dwight Way earlier this week before being reported missing to authorities.
Family in Karnataka Awaits Formal Communication
As of late Sunday, Saketh's family in Karnataka had not received any official communication confirming his death. When contacted around 7 PM, Saketh's father Sreenivasaiah expressed confusion and distress, stating he had not received any formal notification from the Ministry of External Affairs, US Embassy, or Karnataka government.
"Without asking us to confirm, how can we believe the post on X," Sreenivasaiah told reporters. He revealed that the last communication he received was on February 14 from the Consulate General of India in San Francisco via WhatsApp message, which stated they were trying to find his son but was not considered official documentation.
Consulate Offers Support and Assistance
The Consulate General of India has assured full support to the grieving family. In their statement, they emphasized: "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."
Sreenivasaiah declined to comment further on possible delays in official communication, acknowledging that proper procedures needed to be followed. He expressed understanding of the necessary protocols while awaiting formal confirmation of his son's tragic passing.
Previous Concerns About Disappearance
A day before confirming the death, the Consulate General had posted on X expressing concern over Saketh's disappearance and confirming they were in touch with the family. This sequence of events highlights the rapid and tragic turn in the situation, from initial concern about a missing student to confirmation of his death within days.
The case has drawn attention to the challenges faced by international students and their families during emergencies abroad, particularly regarding communication protocols and official notification procedures between consular offices and next of kin.
