Missing Melbourne teacher allegedly drugged and murdered by brother in India
Police in India say missing Melbourne teacher Sunil Sharma was allegedly killed by his brother over a property dispute. Four people have been arrested and police are searching for his remains.
Intelligence analysis by GPT-5.4 Mini
Sunil Sharma, a Melbourne maths teacher, disappeared after travelling to Amritsar on 22 May. Indian police allege his brother drugged and killed him in a property dispute, with four arrests made and the body reportedly dumped in a canal.
A teacher from Melbourne went missing while visiting India. Police say a family argument over property may have turned deadly, like a fight over a house or land that ended very badly.
Analysis
What happened
Melbourne maths teacher Sunil Sharma was reported missing after travelling to Amritsar in India’s Punjab state on 22 May. According to police, the disappearance is now being treated as an alleged murder linked to a property dispute.
Police allegations
Indian police say Sharma’s brother, Satish Sharma, is accused of spiking his drink with sleeping pills before striking him in the head with a baseball bat. Police also allege that Sharma’s body was dumped in a canal, and searches for his remains are continuing. Four people have been arrested in connection with the investigation.
Family and community reaction
Sharma’s daughter, Surbhi Sharma, said police statements allege that her uncle and his associates created a fake power of attorney and sold properties owned by her father and aunt. She described her father as intelligent, strong, funny, loving, and sensitive.
Community groups and colleagues in Victoria have also expressed grief. The Punjabi Club of Victoria said the community was shocked by the alleged murder. Victoria’s education department said Sharma had taught at Diamond Valley college for 13 years and was a valued member of staff.
Official response
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs is aware of the arrests and is in regular contact with local authorities. The case now sits at the intersection of criminal investigation, family dispute, and consular attention, with the central unanswered question being the recovery of Sharma’s remains.
Key points
- Sunil Sharma, a Melbourne maths teacher, went missing in India after travelling to Amritsar on 22 May.
- Police in Punjab allege he was murdered by his brother over a property dispute.
- Four people have been arrested, and police say Sharma’s body may have been dumped in a canal.
- His daughter said the family believes fake legal documents were used to sell property.
- His school, community groups, and Australia’s foreign affairs department have all responded to the case.
If police evidence holds, the arrests could help bring accountability and give Sharma’s family a clearer path toward justice. Continued cooperation between Indian authorities and Australia’s foreign affairs officials may also help the family get answers and support.
If the alleged body dump in a canal prevents recovery, the family may face a prolonged and painful wait for closure. The case could also become harder to resolve if the property dispute and criminal allegations lead to more contested claims or delays in court.
