Udupi: The family of a 51-year-old man from Kundapur in Udupi district, whose body was found dismembered inside a car in Sharjah, has sought a detailed investigation into his death and assistance from Indian authorities.
The deceased has been identified as Alwin Prakash Kunder, who had been working at Sharjah Airport for around 14 years. His body was reportedly recovered from the boot of his Toyota car after his family raised concerns over his disappearance. His wife, Tina Kunder, and their teenage son remain untraceable, according to reports.
The case came to light after Alwin’s brother, Anil Prashanth Kunder, became concerned when he was unable to contact him. The family has since approached authorities in the UAE and the Udupi police seeking information about the circumstances surrounding his death.
Family raised alarm after unusual messages
According to Alwin’s brother, July 20 was the last time he spoke to his younger brother. When subsequent calls went unanswered, Alwin sent messages saying that he was fine and resting.
The messages reportedly raised suspicion within the family because Alwin normally communicated with his relatives through voice messages and rarely used text messages. His brother asked him to make a phone call, but no call was received.
Concerned about his whereabouts, Anil contacted Alwin’s friend and classmate in Sharjah, identified as Manohar, and asked him to check on him.
When Manohar visited the apartment where Alwin had been staying, the watchman reportedly said that Alwin and his family had left for India. Alwin’s employer also initially informed the family that he had travelled to India.
However, the family disputed this information and sought verification of his travel records.
Passport records raised further questions
A check of Alwin’s passport reportedly showed that he had not travelled to India. Following this, a missing-person complaint was filed with authorities in Sharjah on July 30, according to his brother.
The investigation eventually led to the recovery of Alwin’s body from his own car. The vehicle was found along a road leading towards Oman in Sharjah.
According to information shared by the family, the body had been cut into nine pieces and placed in two bags before being left in the car. The recovery was made on August 12, according to multiple reports.
The exact circumstances of the killing, the identity of those responsible and the motive have not been publicly established.
Wife and son remain untraceable
The disappearance of Alwin’s wife, Tina, and their teenage son has added another element to the case.
Tina, who is also from Udupi district, worked as a schoolteacher in the UAE. The couple had been married for around 20 years and their son was studying in Class 10. Reports said the family had been living together in Sharjah.
Alwin’s relatives have said they do not know where Tina and their son are currently located. The family has reportedly been unable to establish whether they travelled to India or remain elsewhere.
The family has also said it was unaware of any dispute between Alwin and his wife. There has been no publicly established finding linking Tina to the killing, and her whereabouts remain a matter for authorities to determine.
Family seeks help from Udupi authorities
Following the recovery and identification of Alwin’s body, his brother approached authorities in Karnataka seeking assistance in the case.
The family reportedly met the Udupi Superintendent of Police and submitted a representation seeking help in obtaining information about the investigation being conducted by authorities in Sharjah.
The family is also awaiting the completion of legal and administrative formalities in the UAE before Alwin’s remains can be brought back to India.
According to reports, the family has received his death certificate following identification of the body and the vehicle. However, relatives have sought further details about the investigation and the circumstances that led to his death.
CCTV footage reportedly under examination
The family has also referred to CCTV footage that authorities in Sharjah reportedly examined as part of the investigation.
According to Alwin’s brother, the footage showed three people carrying bags and placing them inside the vehicle. However, the identities of these individuals and their alleged role in the death have not been publicly established.
The family has also raised questions about messages received from Alwin’s phone after he stopped responding to calls. His brother suspects that the phone may have been in someone else’s possession, although this remains a family allegation and has not been independently established.
Investigation remains underway
Alwin’s death has raised several unanswered questions, including when and where he was killed, who was responsible, why his body was transported in his vehicle and where his wife and son are currently located.
Reports have not established a confirmed motive for the killing. Sharjah authorities are handling the criminal investigation, while the Udupi police are being approached by the family for assistance and coordination.
The case also highlights the difficulties faced by families in India when a relative dies or goes missing overseas. The relatives are now seeking greater clarity from the UAE authorities and assistance from Indian officials to complete the investigation and bring Alwin’s remains home.
For now, the family continues to await answers regarding the circumstances of his death and the whereabouts of his wife and son. Any further conclusions about suspects or motive will depend on the findings of the ongoing investigation.