12 Oct 2009

Missing student not at classes for two months - police

3:05 pm on 12 October 2009

Police in Auckland are still investigating the disappearance of an Indian student.

Srikanth Rayadurgam, 23, was last seen on 1 October leaving his Mt Albert home.

It is believed he was on his way to AUT University, but police have confirmed that the last time he attended class was nearly two months ago.

They say they have also established from mobile phone records that Mr Rayadurgam was at a Starbucks cafe in Auckland the evening he went missing, and possibly in the vicinity of Karangahape Road later that night.

Mr Rayadurgam's wallet was found by a cyclist near the Westhaven Marina the following morning. His backpack and some clothes were also found, but searches of the harbour have found no trace of him.

Mr Rayadurgam's family has criticised the police for spending more time and resources on the search for a missing Henderson toddler, Asiling Symes, aged two.

However, police say there are different levels of vulnerability at play and the amount of resources in Mr Rayadurgam's case is appropriate given the nature of the inquiry.