Family pleads for news

A shattered Indian family has issued an emotional plea to the public for help to bring one of them home, dead or alive.

Indian student Srikanth Rayadurgam, 23, has been missing since October 1. Fears for his safety have been growing since some of his personal items were found near Westhaven Marina the next day.

Yesterday his brother-in-law, Nagesh Kakanoor, said he was prepared for the worst but the family desperately wanted Mr Rayadurgam home, dead or alive.

He said he had found the missing man's name badge from the Pizza Hut where he worked part-time, and his scarf. Both were in the water near the marina and close to where his other items were found.

"I am strongly thinking there could be some foul play, big time," he said.

Mr Rayadurgam's disappearance was completely out of character.

He had been in New Zealand since February and was living with Mr Kakanoor and his wife, Padam.

They were a close family and without him the house was very different. "We used to have so much fun.

"I am prepared for the worst. My family is shattered. We want him back, dead or alive. We don't know what direction we have been going in for the last 12 days."

Mr Kakanoor said every day since Mr Rayadurgam had disappeared he had been at the harbour looking for clues. "I am seeking public help."

Yesterday the mystery deepened when police said he had not been at some of his Auckland University of Technology classes since August 17.

But Mr Kakanoor said some of that was holidays and some of the classes were not important, so his brother-in-law had studied at home.

- NZPA