An Indian-origin family in Melbourne is desperately seeking answers after a 66-year-old Australian teacher went missing during a visit to India, with growing fears he may have been abducted or harmed while preparing a property for sale in Punjab.
Sunil Sharma, a mathematics teacher from Melbourne’s Diamond Creek area, was last seen on Friday at his property in Amritsar, Punjab.
He had travelled to India to supervise renovation work before selling the house ahead of his planned retirement.
His daughter, Surbhi Sharma, said the family became worried after they suddenly lost contact with him.
“I got a call from my brother on Saturday morning asking, ‘Have you spoken to Dad?’,” she said.
According to the family, Sharma had been making frequent trips to India since the death of his wife four years ago, as he worked to settle family property matters before returning permanently to Australia.
Authorities are also trying to locate Sharma’s brother, who was reportedly among the last people seen at the property before he vanished.
“My dad’s brother was last seen at the house on Friday,” Surbhi said.
Police are also believed to be questioning a prospective buyer linked to the property.
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 shortly before his phone stopped working, and his uncle’s vehicle moving in and out of the property multiple times.
Surbhi said the uncertainty surrounding her father’s disappearance has left the family devastated.
“I feel so helpless,” she said.
She added that Australian authorities had advised the family not to travel to India immediately because of concerns for their safety if the case involved kidnapping or extortion.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed it is 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 are investigating all possible angles, including foul play and abduction, as the search for the missing teacher continues.