An Indian-origin Melbourne family is desperately searching for answers after a 66-year-old Australian teacher vanished during a trip to India, with fears growing that he may have been abducted or harmed while preparing a property for sale in Punjab.
Sunil Sharma, a maths teacher from Melbourne’s Diamond Creek area, was last seen on Friday at his property in Amritsar, Punjab, where he had travelled to oversee renovation work before selling the home ahead of his planned retirement.
His daughter, Surbhi Sharma, said the family became alarmed after they lost contact with him.
“I got a call Saturday morning from my brother saying, ‘Have you spoken to Dad?’,” she said.
“I said, ‘No, I’ve not heard from him since yesterday morning.’”
According to the family, Sharma had been regularly travelling to India since the death of his wife four years ago, as he attempted to finalise the sale of family properties before returning permanently to Australia.
Surbhi told ABC News that the local police in Amritsar were now investigating multiple possibilities, including abduction, after both her father and his vehicle disappeared.
“So my dad and my dad’s car are completely gone.”
Police are also reportedly attempting to locate Sharma’s brother, who was allegedly among the last people seen at the property before the disappearance.
“My dad’s brother was last seen in the house on Friday,” Surbhi said.
Authorities are also understood to be speaking with a prospective buyer connected to the property.
Local investigators have reviewed CCTV footage from the area.
According to the family, the footage allegedly shows painters working at the house before being sent away, Sharma arriving at the property shortly before his phone stopped working, and his uncle’s vehicle moving in and out of the location multiple times.
Surbhi said the uncertainty had left the family traumatised. “I feel so helpless,” she said.
“It’s just been really hard, and every day that goes by, it’s just really tough.”
She added that Australian officials had advised the family not to travel to India immediately because of safety concerns if the case involved kidnapping or extortion.
“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.”
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it was providing consular assistance to the family, while Victoria’s education department said it hoped for Sharma’s safe return.
Amritsar Rural Police told Australian media they were investigating all possible angles, including foul play and abduction, as the search for the missing teacher continues.
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