Three Residents from Gujarat Missing After Alleged Kidnapping in Ethiopia

Three residents from Gujarat, India, have reportedly gone missing after embarking on a journey to the United States via an illegal route. Relatives are alleging that the trio has been kidnapped in Ethiopia, with a ransom demand of Rs 1 crore (approximately £100,000) made for their release. The individuals, identified as Rutvik Jansari from Vadsma village, Mamta Chavda from Ahmedabad, and Mayuri from Gandhinagar, commenced their journey on September 20. After reaching Ethiopia, contact with them was lost, prompting family members to seek assistance from local police.

Mamta’s father, Kiritbhai Chauhan, revealed that the families had collectively paid around Rs 70 lakh (approximately £70,000) to an agent for the illegal migration arrangement. He expressed desperation, stating, "We request the government to bring our three children back safely.” According to statements from family members, after initially reaching Ethiopia, the three were held captive, and their captors demanded a significant ransom.

Additional details indicate that on September 22, Kiritbhai had a conversation with his daughter, who informed him they had reached Canada. However, following this communication, all contact ceased. Local police confirmed that a report regarding the trio's disappearance was filed after the family lost communication with them. The police inspector in charge, A M Gehlot, noted that the case was under investigation.

Family members mentioned that Mamta's husband had travelled to the US on a student visa approximately six months prior. After failing to obtain a visa through standard channels, the family resorted to intermediaries who assured them of passage into the US through unlawful means. It has been reported that they first travelled from Gujarat to Rajasthan, then to Jaipur, and later boarded a flight to Abu Dhabi before reaching Ethiopia. The agent involved, Alpesh Panchal, stated that different amounts had been paid for the journey, ranging from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 75 lakh per person.

As they continue to navigate this distressing situation, the family is calling on the Indian government for urgent intervention to secure the safe return of their loved ones. Police investigations are ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the alleged kidnapping and the identities of the individuals involved in the ransom demand.