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Home / New Zealand

Sagar Shelar still waiting to hear from police

Alice Peacock
By Alice Peacock
Reporter·NZ Herald·
24 Nov, 2018 07:26 PM4 mins to read

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Sagar and Sonam Shelar were married in December and she moved to New Zealand in April. Photo / Supplied

Sagar and Sonam Shelar were married in December and she moved to New Zealand in April. Photo / Supplied

Sagar Shelar is still waiting to hear an explanation behind a police statement that they are treating the death of his pregnant wife Sonam as "not suspicious".

Wellington Police issued a statement at 3.2pm yesterday saying that after further inquiries they are not treating Sonam's death as suspicious and have referred her death to the coroner.

"Welfare support has been put in place for Mrs Shelar's family at this tragic time," the statement said.

But her husband Sagar said this morning that he was still waiting to hear from the police after they informed him about the statement.

"They provided the same statement and news to media and to me as well," he said.

"I'm waiting for a police officer to call me. It's already 9.30am. Maybe it's Sunday, maybe I'll get a late call, I'm expecting a call this morning."

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Shelar said police had not told him anything about what they found on Sonam's two cellphones which were retrieved from Island Bay Beach on November 17, the day she disappeared.

He said last week that he gave the police passcodes for the two phones, but he said today that he still had "no idea" what happened.

"I have no idea still till a police officer sits down with me and explains with me what happened that day," he said.

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Indian national Sonam Shelar was five months pregnant. On Wednesday three teenage surfers discovered a body at White Rock Beach in the Wairarapa, part of which can only be accessed from private farm land.

Meanwhile family spokesman Harshal Patkar told the Herald from Mumbai, India, that the police statement left the family in shock.

"The family is in grief at the moment - that I can definitely say," he said.

Earlier this week, Patkar said he suspected foul play was involved.

Discover more

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'It might be a murder': Sonam Shelar's devastated family suspect foul play

21 Nov 05:20 PM
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Sonam Shelar's two phones found in water at Island Bay

22 Nov 08:30 PM
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Sonam Shelar death 'not suspicious' say police

24 Nov 02:41 AM
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The family saw Sonam as a mentally strong woman. Patkar had said the thought of her harming herself was completely unlikely.

Sagar Shelar, a 32-year-old chef, had earlier said his wife had been upset after an ultrasound scan showed the couple might be expecting a girl, because she desperately wanted a boy.

Shelar's final movements are not clear but police launched a search for the Khandallah resident by Monday.

They called for residents on Cashmere Ave and surrounding streets to come forward with any CCTV footage they might have.

Moving forward, Patkar said the family was working out how some of Shelar's relatives could get to New Zealand.

"I cannot tell you the exact date or anything, but that process is happening," he said.

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Some family members had expired passports, he said, and they were having issues with paperwork.

In the meantime, the family had been gathered together in Mumbai.

Shelar, a former fitness trainer in India, moved to Wellington to be with her new husband in April this year. The pair married in December.

Sagar Shelar's sister said her brother was coping as well as he could.

On Saturday morning a friend of Sagar Shelar's, Ashish Ambavkar, said he and others had rallied around their mate to provide emotional support.

Earlier in the week Shelar's family in India said they hoped at least one family member would travel to New Zealand.

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Her mother was said to be devastated at the out-of-character disappearance.

Police thanked the community for their assistance in the case.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

If you are worried about your or someone else's mental health, the best place to get help is your GP or local mental health provider. However, if you or someone else is in danger or endangering others, call 111.

If you need to talk to someone, contact the following free helplines:

• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)

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• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO) (available 24/7)
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 (available 24/7)
• Kidsline: 0800 543 754 (available 24/7)
• Whatsup: 0800 942 8787 (1pm to 11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Samaritans 0800 726 666
• Rural Support Trust: 0800 787 254.

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