‘We believe he’s still alive’: Days after he went missing, Karnataka student’s body found in US; parents grapple with pain, disbelief

Despite the Indian Consulate General stating that arrangements would be made for repatriation of Saketh’s body, his parents have said they want to personally visit the US where they had sent their son to pursue post graduation in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California.

MLC Arathi Krishna, who serves as the deputy chairman of the NRI Forum of Karnataka, visits Saketh Sreenivasaiah’s parents. (Photo by special arrangement)

Refusing to speak to the media, Saketh’s family members even turned back a few government officials who had come to their home in D group Layout in Srirgandada Kaval in Bengaluru on Sunday.

Krishna, who also serves as deputy chairman of NRI Forum of Karnataka, was the only one allowed to their residence. Speaking to The Indian Express, she said, “The family is in disbelief. They say their son was an extremely strong-willed person. They are not asking to bring the body to India but want to go to the US themselves.”

Saketh had completed his B Tech in Chemical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology, Madras. On September 4 last year, he left for the US. According to his LinkedIn profile, he was among the six co-inventors listed on a patent for a “microchannel cooling system for hyperloop and a method thereof.”

On Sunday at 5.12am, Consulate General of India in San Francisco posted on X: “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.”

Krishna said the last call from Saketh was made on February 8, a day before he went missing. “He rang up his mother but she did not receive the call as she was in the office. Later, he called his younger brother and spoke to him. After that, no calls were made. The family tried to reach him over phone after February 9 but when he did not pick the call, they assumed he could be busy with his studies or work. On February 12, his housemate Baneet Singh called the parents and informed them that he was missing,” Krishna added.

Following Saketh’s disappearance, his family reached out to Karnataka chief secretary Shalini Rajneesh and the Chief Minister’s office. Rajneesh wrote a letter to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, seeking the intervention of the Ministry of External Affairs. Meanwhile, the Berkeley police launched a search for Saketh.

The family has now sought help from the Indian government in arranging for an emergency visa to visit the US as they believe their son could still be alive, said Krishna.

Saketh’s neighbour Rajanna recalled him as not just a bright student but also a humble young man. “He used to wash and clean his father’s car and was very decent. I cannot imagine the pain the parents are going through. They are making all efforts to go to the US,” he added.

Besides his parents – his father runs a small business while mother is a state government employee, Saketh is survived by a younger brother.