NRI goes missing during visit to Vadodara

A US-based Non-resident Indian (NRI), who is also a former cricketer, has gone missing while on a visit to this city in Gujarat, police said Wednesday.

Crime Branch has formed four teams to trace Mittal Saraiya, who is missing since Tuesday, said Jaydeepsinh Jadeja, Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime).

"Mittal Saraiya went missing after visiting a branch of a private bank in the city yesterday," he told PTI.

The 51-year-old NRI, who lives in Florida, US, had arrived in the city Monday to enquire about the health of his ailing uncle who resides in the Karelibaug area, he said. Saraiya was visiting the city after a decade and scheduled to leave for the US Saturday, Jadeja said.

During his visit to the bank, an official had asked him to furnish the photocopy of his passport, police said, adding he left for home to get the document. When he failed to return home, his relatives got worried and lodged a missing complaint with the Karelibaug Police Station, they said.

Jadeja said, "CCTV footage showed Mittal coming out of the bank and boarding an autorickshaw. We are further investigating the case." The NRI's family members said he was a college-level cricketer.

Baroda Cricket Association (BCA) officials said Saraiya was once among probables for selection in team for the Ranji Trophy, but did not play in the premier domestic tournament.

(With inputs from agencies.)