Missing student did not attend classes

AUT student, 23 year-old Srikanth Rayadurgam did not attend his AUT classes the day he was last seen by his family, October 1, 2009.

Srikanth left his Mt Albert home at about midday on Thursday October 1 and withdrew $250 from his National Bank account via an ATM machine on Queen St at 2.17pm that day.

Police inquiries to date suggest he may have been at a cafe in the city later in the afternoon, but that is yet to be confirmed.

He did not return home that evening and his family contacted the Police Northern Communications Centre at 1am on October 2 to relay their concerns.

His wallet was found near Westhaven Marina by a cyclist at about 8am the same morning and, after she'd made some inquiries to locate him via AUT, his family were notified that the wallet had been found and they then went to Westhaven Marina where they found other personal items belonging to Srikanth.

"The family called Police when they were at Westhaven and Police attended," Acting Detective Senior Sergeant Joe Aumua said.

"From that time on Srikanth was officially regarded as a missing person and Police inquiries as to his whereabouts started then.

"It is incorrect to say nothing was done until Monday October 5 - the investigation started on October 2 and was accorded sufficient resources."

The Police Maritime Support Unit carried out sea searches in the harbour on October 2 and 3 and the Air Support Unit also did an air search on October 2. The Police Dive Team was requested on October 5 and completed low and high tide searches in and around the harbour near Westhaven and Herne Bay on Wednesday October 7.

Police and family members distributed fliers in the Westhaven Marina area over the past weekend in an effort to generate information.

Police have not received any reports of sightings of Mr Rayadurgam since Thursday, October 1 and are appealing for information about him.

"We are continuing with background inquiries into Srikanth and would urge anyone who has information, particularly anyone we have not already spoken with, to contact us on operation number, 0800 111 377," Mr Aumua said.