Oz: Indian found dead in Oct 2009 identified

Melbourne, Feb 27: The body of the Indian national found in Oct 2009 has identified to be that of 33-year-old fruit-picking contractor, Pradeep Kumar, the Australian police said.

The Indian's body was found near the New South Wales-Victorian border after he was reported missing in Sep 2009. The police were able to establish the identity of the dead body through DNA.

While Kumar's family is expected to be travelling to Australia soon to collect his body and take it back to Punjab, police has reportedly appealed for witnesses to come forward with any information.

“In particular we would like to speak to any farmers in the Mildura and Euston areas who may have been approached by Kumar offering his services as a fruit-picking contractor," Detective Sergeant Andrew Spliet from Dareton Detectives said.

“Throughout this investigation, we have spoken to a number of people from the local Indian community, but there are many more we would like to hear from," he said, adding we want to assure them that we have Indian-origin police officers attached to this investigation, which makes it easier for members of the Indian community to talk to us.

“Any piece of information they give could be vital to solving Kumar"s murder," he added.

OneIndia News