They both altogether reportedly gave INR 50 Lakhs to the agent for the arrangements. INR 35 Lakh were paid by Dhruv and INR 15 Lakh were paid by Deepika.
Two residents from Gujarat’s Anand District while on “Dunki Route” to the US got kidnapped in Azerbaijan. The two have been identified as Dhruv Patel (22) and Deepika Patel (32). They both got stuck in an organised illegal immigration network.
Reportedly, both are the residents of Kanthariya village, left their hometown on January 30. They both first went to Vadodara, then headed over to Delhi. Both of them met at the airport before departing for Azerbaijan.
It has come to light that they both left India with the assurance of a Mumbai-based agent who assured them a safe travel to the US through “Dunki Route.”
They both altogether reportedly gave INR 50 Lakhs to the agent for the arrangements. INR 35 Lakh were paid by Dhruv and INR 15 Lakh were paid by Deepika.
As per the sources, they both reached Baku on February 1. Thereafter, a person named Pawan who is said to be an intermediary instructed both to switch off their mobile phones.
Relatives of the victims reportedly claim that Dhruv was taken to the basement, was allegedly beaten severely. Thereafter, the attackers forced his family to watch that all through WhatsApp video calls.
The kidnappers demanded Rs 65 Lakh, threatened of organ trafficking if ransom demands were not met. They demanded that such an amount should be paid through cryptocurrency channels.
Despite receiving the funds, the accused reportedly continued to demand more money.
Rescue Operations
As the situations were worsening, the families went to Anand District’s MP Mitesh Patel for assistance who further raised the matter to External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, seeking an urgent intervention.
Following this, the matter reached to the Indian Embassy in Baku and the rescue operations were carried forward. The operation was launch in collaboration with the Azerbaijan authorities which was named as “Operation Mahisagar.”
Within 24 hours, the victims’ location was traced. Dhruv and Deepika now are under the protection of the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan. The formalities are being completed for their return to India.
Initial findings suggest the alleged kidnappers may be part of a broader network reportedly led by individuals identified as Pawan Rocky and an Iranian national known as ‘Baba Khan’. The group is suspected to have been involved in similar cases targeting youths from Gujarat, particularly from the Mansa region.
Meanwhile, the Gujarat Police have initiated action against at least five Mumbai-based agents believed to have played a role in luring the victims.
