Fears grow for missing family

Fears grow for missing family

The family have not been seen for six weeks

Police are trying to unravel a mystery surrounding the disappearance of a businessman and his family.

Amarjit Chohan, 46, his wife Nancy, 25, their two young sons aged three months and 18 months and Mrs Chohan's 51-year-old mother have not been seen since 16 February.

Police say they took few possessions from their home in Hounslow, west London, and no money has been withdrawn from bank accounts.

Their passports are missing and a letter has been sent from France, apparently signed by Mr Chohan, saying he is fed up with life in England.

But he has made no contact with other family members, and police now think the letter could be a fake.

Other aspects of the disappearance are prompting fears for the family's well being.

Mysterious accident

Detectives say the family car, a Ford Escort , was involved in an accident in the Southampton area a week after they were last seen, but they do not believe any member of the family was using it.

Two men in the car at the time of the accident gave false details and have yet to be traced.

Mr Chohan is a successful businessman who built up his company, CIBA Freight, to a business which employs 30 people and has a £4.5m annual turnover.

His employees are continuing to run the business in his absence.

Family appeal

He was last seen at the company in Southall on 14 February.

Mrs Chohan's brother Onker Verma, 28, flew over from New Zealand to appeal for help in tracing him.

"I am extremely worried, I need to know they are safe," he said.

Detective Inspector Andy Rowell, of the serious crime directorate at Scotland Yard, said: "We are appealing to anyone who may have information about the family's disappearance to contact the police."

He said they were not aware of any money being drawn on any of the family's accounts, which was unusual considering the cost of feeding and clothing a young family.