VOI World/ Desk
An Australian citizen of Indian origin who travelled to Punjab to sell family property was allegedly murdered in a case that has shocked both India and Australia. Punjab Police have arrested four people, including the victim’s brother and sister-in-law, in connection with the crime.
The victim, 66-year-old Sunil Sharma, a mathematics teacher based in Melbourne, had travelled to Amritsar in May to manage and sell family property before returning to Australia. He was reported missing on May 22 after disappearing from his residence in the city. Investigators say his phone became inactive shortly afterwards, prompting concerns among family members in Australia.
Following an extensive investigation, Punjab Police announced that Sharma had been murdered and that the alleged crime stemmed from a long-running property dispute within the family. Authorities arrested four suspects, including Sharma’s brother, sister-in-law and nephew, while efforts are continuing to trace additional accused persons believed to be involved in the case.
Police said preliminary findings indicate that Sharma was targeted after returning to India to settle property-related matters. His body was later recovered from a canal in Punjab, bringing a tragic end to a search that had attracted attention in both countries.
The case has reignited concerns among sections of the Indian diaspora regarding property disputes involving overseas Indians. Such disputes have long been a sensitive issue for NRIs who maintain land and family assets in India while living abroad. Legal experts and community groups have frequently advised overseas Indians to exercise caution when handling property transactions and inheritance matters from overseas.
The investigation remains ongoing as police pursue additional leads and seek to establish the full sequence of events leading to Sharma’s death.
