Repatriation has taken place for the body of an Indian expat who is believed to have been murdered in the UAE. Earlier this month, Anil Kumar Vincent, who had worked for a textile company for several years, was reported missing.

"He worked as a PRO for a company for more than 35 years," said Indian social worker Naseer Vatanappally. “On January 2nd, he was asked to inspect one of the offices of the company in Ras Al Khor. Since then, no one had heard from him.”

Naseer says Anil's brother - who works as an accountant in the same company - was unable to reach him and raised an alarm. “Anil’s son came to Dubai from India and together they went to a nearby police station to file a complaint after the mandatory 48-hour wait,” he said. "A few days later, they received a call from another police station asking them to meet with officers."

Khaleej Times has seen documents indicating that Anil's body was found on January 12. Naseer said the family were taken to identify the body. “His face had been badly injured and as per the information relayed to the family, his body was found in a remote desert in Sharjah,” he said. “The family were told that a scuffle may have ended Anil’s life. It was also mentioned that some people have been arrested in connection with this crime, although the details are yet to be revealed. The case is still under investigation.”

The 59-year-old is survived by his wife, a son and a daughter. The embalming certificate puts the cause of death as strangulation and suppression on the chest. Dubai Police has been contacted for comment.