India says in touch with New Zealand Govt. over missing Indian student

New Delhi/Auckland, Oct.12 (ANI): The Indian Government on Monday said it was in touch with the New Zealand Government and its High Commission in that country over investigations related to a missing 23-year-old Indian-origin student, even as his relatives suggested that he could have been a victim of a racist attack.

Indian High Commission officials also said that they were actively collaborating with the New Zealand authorities on the matter.

Indian-origin Auckland-based student Srikanth Rayadurgam has been declared missing for the last twelve days.

Rayadurgam was last seen at midday October 1 when leaving his Mt Albert home, reports stuff.co.nz.

Police said that the 23-year-old had not attended classes for two months before his disappearance.

They believed that until late last week Rayadurgam had regularly attended classes but have since had it confirmed that the last time he did so was on August 17.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Aumua said the information was crucial to their investigation.

"Mobile phone polling records show he was at a Starbuck's cafe somewhere in the city at 6.30 p.m. the day he went missing, but the exact location of that cafe has yet to be confirmed.

"We're also very interested to know if anyone recalls seeing him around the Karangahape Rd area on the evening of Thursday, October 1 and in the early hours of October 2 as his mobile phone was polling in that area occasionally.

"It may be that someone else was in possession of his phone during these times, we don't know at this stage."

Police have today examined Srikanth's bedroom for clues about his disappearance and have spoken further with family members.

Rayadurgam is said to have withdrawn 250 dollars from his account that afternoon and police are investigating reports that he was seen in a cafe that afternoon but there have been no other reported sightings since then, police say.

Police said Rayadurgam's wallet and other personal items were found near Westhaven Marina on October 2, the day after he went missing.

"From that time on Srikanth was officially regarded as a missing person and police inquiries as to his whereabouts started then," a police official said. (ANI)