Desperate Search for Melbourne Maths Teacher Feared Kidnapped or Killed in India: ‘I Just Want to Know What Happened to My Dad’
- A 66-year-old Melbourne high school teacher has vanished in India, sparking fears for his safety and a desperate search by his family
- Sunil Sharma was last seen renovating his home in Amritsar, near the Pakistan border, six days ago, with his phone and car also missing
- His daughter Surbhi has pleaded for help, saying she’s ‘really, really worried’ about her father’s fate and wants answers from her uncle, who was the last person to see him
- The Department of Foreign Affairs is assisting the family, but Surbhi has been warned it’s too dangerous to search for her father herself due to the risk of family members also going missing in property or money disputes
Sunil Sharma, a maths teacher from Diamond Creek, was supposed to be enjoying his retirement after years of educating students in Melbourne. Instead, his family is now frantically searching for him, fearing the worst after he vanished in India.
The 66-year-old was last seen six days ago, renovating his home in Ashyaana Estate, Amritsar, in northern India, near the Pakistan border.
His daughter Surbhi Sharma is beside herself with worry, unable to contact her father since his disappearance. She’s desperate for answers, particularly from her uncle, who was the last person to see him.
‘I just need him to contact me, contact your sister, but tell us, tell us what you saw, what happened and how you left him,’ she pleaded.
Sunil’s family has been trying to piece together his final days, using CCTV footage to track his movements. The local authorities have found evidence of painters at the house, who were sent away by Surbhi’s uncle.
The uncle’s car was seen coming and going from the house four times, and Sunil was spotted leaving the property in the morning, returning for an hour in the afternoon, and then disappearing.
What’s even more concerning is that Surbhi and her brother have been warned not to search for their father themselves, due to the risk of family members also going missing in property or money disputes.
‘My brother and I have been told not to go there because it’s not uncommon that family members can also go missing if there is something to do with property or money,’ she said.
This is not the first time Sunil has traveled to India. Since his wife passed away four years ago, he’s been making regular trips to sell his properties and prepare for retirement.
However, this time, something has gone terribly wrong. The scorching Indian heat, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, only adds to the family’s concerns for Sunil’s safety.
Analysis: What This Means for Australia
Sunil’s disappearance highlights the risks faced by Australian citizens traveling to India, particularly in regions near the Pakistan border. The area is known for its high crime rates and kidnappings, making it a challenging environment for authorities to operate in.
The incident also raises questions about the safety of Australian expats and travelers in India, and whether enough is being done to protect them.
Security analysts say that the Indian government needs to do more to address the issue of kidnappings and crime in the region.
‘The Indian authorities must take concrete steps to ensure the safety of foreign nationals, including Australians, who are visiting or living in the country,’ said one expert.
The Department of Foreign Affairs is providing assistance to the Sharma family, but more needs to be done to prevent such incidents in the future.
As Surbhi waits anxiously for news of her father, the Australian government must consider the implications of this incident and take action to protect its citizens abroad.
