An Indian couple who set out for the US via the illegal ‘donkey route’ was kidnapped and tortured in Azerbaijan before being safely rescued following rapid diplomatic intervention by the Indian government, NDTV reported.
The couple, identified as Dhruv Patel and Dipika Patel from Gujarat’s Anand district, had hoped to reach the US through a network of irregular travel routes promising entry without valid visas.
They reportedly departed from India on January 30 after being persuaded by Mumbai-based agents. Upon arrival in Baku, Azerbaijan, they were abducted by unknown individuals and taken to a deserted house where they were confined, according to their families and Anand MP Mitesh Patel.
The duo found themselves trapped in what relatives described as a ‘dungeon-like setting’. Through WhatsApp video calls made by the kidnappers to the families in Anand, Dhruv was shown being beaten. The abductors demanded money and threatened to remove and sell the kidneys of both hostages if their demands were not met.
Family pays Rs 65 lakh to kidnappers
The families reportedly managed to raise Rs 65 lakh, a combination of cash and cryptocurrency, as ransom. Desperate for help, the parents of Dhruv and Dipika approached MP Mitesh Patel, who immediately reached out to the Ministry of External Affairs and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.
“Two days ago, the parents of Dhruv Patel and Dipika Patel contacted me and told me that they were kidnapped in Azerbaijan. They said they (family members) received a video call in which people (kidnappers) from Azerbaijan demanded ransom for their release,” he said.
A swift diplomatic effort, referred to as ‘Operation Mahisagar’ was launched, involving coordination between the MEA and the Indian Embassy in Baku.
Couple located within 24 hours
Within 24 hours, officials located the couple and brought them to the safety of the Indian Embassy premises in Baku. MP Patel expressed gratitude to the Indian government for the expedited rescue and urged young people not to fall prey to fake agents offering illegal migration shortcuts.
An Iranian figure known as “Baba Khan” and an associate named Pawan Rocky are suspected of involvement in the network that targeted the couple, NDTV reported quoting sources.
The youths are currently under embassy protection in Azerbaijan, and arrangements are underway for their return to India once legal formalities are completed.