Iran Probes Disappearance of Indian Nationals Amid Ransom Claims

The Iranian Embassy in India has initiated an investigation into the disappearance of three Indian nationals who allegedly fell victim to a kidnapping plot while traveling to Australia. Despite the families' appeals and ongoing inquiries, no new leads have emerged regarding the men's safety.

 

The Iranian Embassy in New Delhi has confirmed that it is investigating the case of three Indian nationals who went missing in Tehran earlier this month. The trio, hailing from Punjab, had a scheduled stopover in Iran on May 1 while en route to Australia, where they were lured by a travel agent with promises of lucrative employment. Their relatives claim they were kidnapped shortly after arrival and are now being held for a ransom of 5 million rupees (approximately $63,000 or £47,000).

In a statement published on X, the Iranian Embassy assured that it is keeping Indian authorities updated regarding the case, emphasizing the risks associated with illicit immigration avenues. It advised citizens to avoid being misled by unauthorized agents or illegal agencies offering dubious travel options.

The situation drew significant attention following a proactive response from the Indian embassy in Iran, which has been pushing for urgent action to locate the missing men and ensure their safety. Many Indians, particularly from Punjab, migrate abroad seeking better job opportunities but often become targets of scams by unscrupulous travel agents who exploit their aspirations, charging them exorbitantly for unsafe and illegal routes.

Gurdeep Kaur shared her heartbreaking experience regarding her son, Amritpal Singh, who is part of the missing group. She reported that after engaging a travel agent in Hoshiarpur, the family was informed that Amritpal's visa was approved, for which they paid 1.8 million rupees. However, discrepancies began to surface as flight arrangements shifted. On May 1, Amritpal called home to confirm his safe arrival, but shortly after, he informed his mother of his abduction before the call was abruptly disconnected.

The family has taken steps to contact the travel agents for information but faced evasive responses before the agents themselves went missing. In the following days, the family received alarming video calls from unknown individuals claiming to have Amritpal and the others, showing signs of physical abuse and demanding ransom, which was initially set at 20 million rupees before being negotiated down to the current amount.

Despite the pressure, Gurdev Singh, Amritpal’s uncle, stated that the family has yet to pay any ransom, fearing it could exacerbate the situation. A police complaint against the travel agents has been filed and investigations are in progress, with local law enforcement confirming that they are actively searching for the three men.

Meanwhile, in Dhuri village, Husanpreet Singh's grandmother, one of the other missing individuals, has been seeking assistance from relatives. The Indian Embassy in Tehran continues to monitor the situation closely, keeping families informed of any new developments.

The incident sheds light on the escalating issue of illegal immigration in India, which has prompted authorities to intensify crackdowns on fraudulent travel agencies, particularly following significant incidents involving undocumented Indians facing deportation from various countries.