Indian media executive missing in Kenya for over 70 days; no response from governments

New Delhi: Zulfiqar Khan, former executive of Balaji Telefilms, Star TV, HOOQ India and EROS Now, is missing for over 70 days from Kenya.

Also read: Indians in Kenya left to their fate as Indian media executive missing for over 70 days

Many of Khan's acquaintances and well-wishers posted their concerns highlighting inaction and laxity on part of both Kenyan and Indian governments.

Zulfiqar Khan, Ex SVP Star TV & COO of Balaji missing for over 70 days from Kenya. No concrete response from the Kenyan embassy. Request GOI to take this up strongly and bring him home. @pmoindia @drsjaishankar @meaindia

@Kenyanhighcommisioninindia

@IndianhighcommisioninKenya

— Rajiv Dubey (@GanjaCyclist) October 8, 2022

Khan had recently ended his stint in Balaji Telefilms Group.

In his last Instagram post, Khan posted his images from a trip to Kenya’s famous Masai Mara National Park.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zulfiqar Ahmad Khan (@zulfizak)

Khan along with his friend Mohamed Zaid Sami Kidwai and their driver Nicodemus Mwania said to have been abducted near the Ole Sereni area in mid-July and driven away in an unmarked car.

A preliminary report revealed that the three men were last seen when they visited a nightclub in Westlands, Nairobi, on the night of July 23.

According to investigators, the two together with their driver were caught on camera having drinks at the popular joint. They left the venue at around 11.53 pm.

Three hours later, police in Langata were informed of an abandoned grey Toyota Fielder near Ole Sereni Hotel along Mombasa Road.

When the police arrived, they found the engine of the car still running, but there was no one in the car.

The families of the victims say they believe state agents were behind the incident, and waiting for justice as Khan has gone missing for more than 70 days.

In politically unstable and charged Kenya extra-judicial killings, and kidnappings are frequent. Previous governments with state agencies many a time were accused of being hand in glove with such incidents, with citizens looking forward to the new regime, which has been protesting police harassment. Investigations are on and trial in the court awaits justice.

Khan has over 19 years of experience in broadcast and digital media companies like HOOQ India, EROS Now, and Star TV, to name a few. Khan brings with him extensive operational experience and an excellent understanding of the entertainment ecosystem.

He began his career in 1999 with Star India and spent over sixteen years serving in distinct roles. In 2015, he moved to Eros Now as Business Head and CRO for Eros Now. His last stint with HOOQ as Managing Director saw him leading strategy for the premium video-on-demand service.