A dream to settle in the United States turned into a nightmare for Dhruv Patel (22) and Deepika Patel (32) from Gujarat’s Anand district. The duo allegedly paid large sums of money to a Mumbai-based agent to travel to the US through the illegal “donkey route,” an unauthorised migration network that passes through multiple countries.
After reaching Baku, Azerbaijan, on February 1, they were reportedly asked to switch off their phones. Soon after, another agent demanded additional money. When the youths refused, they were allegedly kidnapped, confined in a basement, and brutally assaulted. The kidnappers reportedly threatened organ trafficking and forced their families to watch the torture over video calls. The families arranged around Rs 65 lakh, partly through cryptocurrency, but the demands continued.
Desperate, the families approached Anand MP Mitesh Patel, who alerted External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar. The Indian Embassy in Baku launched a rescue mission, codenamed ‘Operation Mahisagar,’ and applied diplomatic pressure. Within 24 hours, the youths were located and rescued. They are currently under the protection of the Indian embassy, and efforts are underway to bring them back home.
Authorities have linked the kidnappers to an international gang, while Gujarat police are investigating agents involved in the illegal migration racket. The incident highlights the dangers of illegal immigration routes promising quick access to the American dream.