Speaking exclusively to the Indian Weekender from Canada, Aditi Jasra, Ankur’s sister said she and her parents had last heard from Ankur on the 1st of June.
With their last conversation, Ankur was at a train station, on his way to a yoga class which he had recently joined and he sounded busy, so he told her he would speak to them in the weekend.
“Ankur sounded like he was doing fine, although he was in the middle of moving homes and mentioned he had applied for a new job,” said Ms Jasra.
“My mum called me, she was concerned it had been 15 days, it was getting serious,” said Ms Jasra.
She also had a friend in New Zealand, who was unable to reach Ankur, and hence decided to go to the police.
Upon going to the police, the family were informed that Ankur had been admitted to Middlemore hospital, with facial injuries and was released 24 hours after.
“The Auckland police had tried to contact him too, because of his injuries, to see if he was doing okay,” said Ms Jasra. “Either he is really hurt from his head injuries, or there is something going on that we have no clue about.”
The family also contacted his friends in New Zealand, but all were unsure as to where Ankur might be.
“There could be something fishy going on,” said Ms Jasra. She fears Ankur could have been taken captive, or had a fight with his friends. Or he has been living with a friend somewhere else.
“We are hoping the Punjabi and Indian community will help to ensure he is safe and healthy. And come forward saying they have seen him somewhere.”
The police had told her Auckland is a big area and thus it could take some time to find Ankur.
“They said they come across these cases all the time, and he is probably moving on with his life,” said Ms Jasra. The police cannot forcefully ask a person to get in touch with his or family.
“Ankur is asked to get in touch with the police directly or anonymously with no strings attached. So they can reassure everyone he is safe and well,” said Detective Grant Arrowsmith of Manurewa, CIB.
The Indian Weekender investigated this Facebook page called “Ankur Sharma Missing” using a mobile phone number that was, posted as a comment on the page.
However, upon calling the number, it was revealed that it was not the missing Indian student.
Although social media did give a lead, it does have its implications. Those who do want to help find Ankur and or have any information on him should contact the police directly.
Have you seen Ankur?
Ankur Sharma, an Indian student from Auckland has been missing for almost a month now, as his family and friends spread the word using a Facebook page.
Ankur, a 23-year-old student, was last seen in Manurewa and has been missing since the 9th of June.
He is described as being 168 – 173cm tall with a skinny build, and he is also known to be wearing a leather jacket and stonewashed jeans.
A Facebook page was started up on the 27th of June by his sister, and has quickly become viral in attracting attention from members of the Indian community.
Anyone with should contact the police, or anonymously through CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.