MEA seeks details of city man’s death in Sydney

Sajid,a 35-year-old bank employee in Sydney,had died at the Flemington railway station there on September 16. When his Ahmedabad-based parents did not get an answer on his cellphone for over three days,they called up his landlord who told them that Shaikh died in an accident.

The official intimation,however,came after at least 10 days. The Sydney police had informed the Interpol,which in turn passed the message to the Union government. The Gujarat CID (Crime) later conveyed the message to the Shaikhs.

Though the message said that Sajid died in a train accident,his 70-year-old father,D K Shaikh,is not convinced. “If it was actually an accidental death,then why did they (Sydney police) inform us 10 days later? They could have contacted me immediately as Sajid always carried my contact details in his wallet. I suspect a foul play and shall request the Indian government to take up the matter seriously,” said Shaikh,who stays in the Juhapura area of the city.

He added: “They claim that the entire incident has been video taped in a CCTV camera. I have written to all the concerned authorities for getting custody of that video tape and Sajid’s personal belongings.”

Shaikh said he has until now sent several letters and emails to the Australian High Commission,Australian Consulate General,Immigration Department in Sydney,Vice Consulate,Indian High Commission,Australia and the office of Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor,urging them to ensure that his son’s belongings are made available to him.

After completing his studies in Sydney,Sajid got a job as an executive at ANZ there. He was unmarried. “We last spoke to him on September 12,” he added.