The hunt for the missing Zulfiqar Khan — Zulfi to friends — is now on, along with another Indian citizen. Both went missing mid-July 2022 in Kenya from a nightclub.

A former COO of Balaji Telefilms, who had also done leadership stints at Eros NOW, the now shuttered Asian streamer HOOQ and Star TV, Zulfi had been on a holiday in Kenya — some media reports state that he was also there to help with the communication strategy for a local politician — and was posting regular updates on social media. But mid-July onwards, he went silent and, surprisingly, few people thought that something was amiss.

However, now it transpires that even after over 70 days, Zulfi and his friend are untraceable in Kenya.

The Times of India, dated October 16, quoted India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) as saying that it was keeping a close eye on the case of two Indian nationals who have gone missing in Kenya since July.

MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi was quoted by TOI telling media persons in Delhi on Friday, “A habeas corpus petition was filed in a Kenyan court. The issue is now sub-judice in the high court of Kenya. A number of hearings have taken place. Our high commission has been in continuous touch with the Kenyan authorities. We are also in touch with some family members. We are keeping a close eye. I am afraid they are still missing.”

But the question remains: why was the incident not reported earlier in the media or taken up by authorities in India and Kenya, till Zulfi’s friends made a noise about it?

“We enjoyed watching his social media posts of breath-taking Masai Mara and all the amazing food he was partaking of. In his telephone conversations with friends, he said he was returning on July-24th but planned to be back towards the year end to witness the Great Migration across the Mara River.

“But after July-21st, there was complete silence. No Facebook or Instagram updates, no phone calls, and what worried all his friends the most – our WhatsApp weren’t showing as received. He had spoken to some of his friends just days earlier and talked about wildlife at length and advised them to visit this ‘lovely’ place. And then Zulfi just disappeared. Without a trace. No contact with family or friends,” a friend of Zulfi said in a post on social media.

Zulfi is an alumnus of Hansraj College New Delhi and St John’s School Nainital. He started his media career as a trainee with Star India and grew to be the Senior Vice President of Advertising Sales where he managed several channels like Star Plus, Star Gold, Star Sports, National Geographic, Channel V, etc., according to information put out by his friends.

Zulfi has been a keen sportsman, a foodie, an avid traveller, climber and explorer. His passion for cricket is well known. His trip to Kenya was yet again the explorer in Zulfi wanting to experience a new country.

Avinash Pandey, CEO of ABP Network, announced Khan’s disappearance on his Twitter account and tagged the Prime Minister of India as well as the Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson.

“My friend and ex-colleague Zulfiqar Khan (ex-SVP Star TV) is missing for over 70 days from Kenya. Praying for his safety and hoping to see him back home soon,” said Pandey.

One hopes that the Indian authorities, along with their Kenyan counterparts, are able to trace Zulfi and his friend, and bring them back home safely.