closed for This question wasfor strongly depending on individual factors . It is currently not accepting answers. Want to improve this question? Update the question so it's on-topic for Academia Stack Exchange. Closed 6 months ago. Improve this question

Several years ago an academic publisher I worked for were setting up a new journal. We approached the prospective editor-in-chief, lined up some plans for the first issues, signed a contract, and paid him the first installment of his honorarium. Then he ceased being contactable. We knew he's still alive & active because he was writing papers, supervising students and attending conferences, but he didn't answer our emails and phone calls.

If we had chosen to pursue the matter then, should we have taken it up with his department/university/research institute, or with the police?

If it matters, the prospective editor-in-chief is from India.