Picture builds of missing student

Indian students at AUT appeal for information about Srikanth Rayadurgam. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Missing Indian student Srikanth Rayadurgam may have been feeling under pressure at home and university, finding himself short of money and failing exams shortly before disappearing.

Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Aumua, who is leading the police search, yesterday said new information was "trickling in" and was helping build a clearer picture of Mr Srikanth and his lifestyle.

"While his disappearance is still very much a mystery, we have more information now than we did two weeks ago about what sort of person he is," Mr Aumua said.

A friend told the Weekend Herald that Mr Srikanth had complained about family pressure. He had recently failed two papers on his culinary arts diploma at Auckland University of Technology (AUT), and had been placed on curfew.

"Srikanth only earned about $300 a week and had to pay two-thirds to his student loan, so it was hard for him to save any money," said the friend, who did not want to be identified.

"I know in this difficult time, all Srikanth's family and the Indian community want to hear are just good things about the guy. I think it is important the public get the full picture if we genuinely want to find him."

But Mr Srikanth's brother-in-law Nagesh Kakanoor said these suggestions were "absolutely false".

"He has no issues at all, and was always cheerful and trustworthy. He was studying, working and was very happy."

The 23-year-old was last seen on October 1, and one of his last recorded activities was attempting to make two phone calls to his uncle in India from his cellphone from Auckland's K Rd just after 10pm that night.

Mr Srikanth withdrew $250 from his account that afternoon, but Mr Kakanoor said the money was meant to repay his student loan.

The police inquiry team and members of Asian Safety Patrol took their inquiries to K Rd on Thursday night, but did not find "any remarkable information" to be passed on to the investigation, Mr Aumua said.

Mr Srikanth, originally from Hyderabad in India, arrived in New Zealand in February, and had been staying with his sister Padma Priya and her husband, Mr Kakanoor, in their Mt Albert home.

He worked as a kitchen hand at Pizza Hut Glenfield on Friday and Saturday evenings and part-time as a chef at Shahi Indian Restaurant in Parnell on other nights.

Mr Srikanth had been given the night off by the restaurant manager on October 1, but did not tell the family.

"Srikanth said he would text about going out that night, but he didn't. Instead, what I got was a text at about 2am from someone saying he had gone missing," said a university friend, Yashita Rao, 20.

Police were informed by Mr Srikanth's family about 1am that it was out of character for him to stay out without informing them.

Another university mate, Swati Tiwary, 21, said if Mr Srikanth was suffering from depression he had hidden it very well.

"Srikanth was always smiling and cheerful, no sign of depression, and I don't think the pressure he had is any different to the pressure the rest of us face with our parents," said Miss Tiwary.

"He didn't seem to have money issues but was careful in his spending, although he wouldn't mind spending any extra on food and sushi is his favourite."

Police said Mr Srikanth had not been to class for several weeks before he disappeared, but Miss Tiwary said it was not unusual, because at AUT, "we all bunk classes".

Glenfield Pizza Hut duty manager April Xuan Chen also said she didn't see any sign of depression in Mr Srikanth, whom she described as "helpful", but said the staff there were shocked at his disappearance.

Agastya Pesara, 27, president of the AUT Indian Students' Association, said its members were concerned about Mr Srikanth's welfare, and dedicated Diwali celebrations to seeking information about their missing mate. "Whether he was robbed, attacked or whatever that night, someone must have seen something or know someone who has, and we will not give up until that person comes forward," Mr Pesara said.

Police yesterday searched the shoreline between Pt Chevalier and Westhaven Marina, and said they would continue the search over the weekend. Anyone with information should call the police on 0800-111-377.

CLUES TO MYSTERY

Police say

OCT 1:

* Srikanth last seen.
* Withdrew $250 from the National Bank ATM in Queen St at 2.17pm that day.
* Was seen near Starbucks Cafe in the city at about 6.30pm.
* Attempted two cellphone calls to India from Karangahape Rd at 10.08pm and 10.31pm.

OCT 2:

* Wallet with cards but no cash found in Curran St, Westhaven Marina. Further search found left shoe, cellphone on the ground, and empty backpack in the water.

OCT 3:

* Chef's jacket found in the water.

OCT 13:

* Pizza Hut nametag and scarf found on the shore.

Friends say

* No sign of depression, but had complained of family curfew and lack of money.
* Failed two papers in recent exams, facing pressure to do better.
* Loved to eat, especially sushi. Spends most of spare cash on eating out.