Four Mansa residents kidnapped in Iran after fake job promise in Australia released, returning to India

Four residents of Bapupura village in Mansa taluka, Gandhinagar district, who had travelled abroad allegedly through an agent promising jobs in Australia, have reportedly been released after being kidnapped in Iran and are on their way back to India on Monday.

The four — Ajaykumar Kantibhai Chaudhary (31), Priyaben Ajaykumar Chaudhary (25), Anilkumar Raghajibhai Chaudhary (35) and Nikhilkumar Ramanbhai Chaudhary (28) — were abducted in Tehran earlier this month. They are expected to arrive at Ahmedabad Airport soon.

The matter had come to light after Mansa MLA Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel wrote to Union Home Minister Amit Shah on October 26, requesting immediate intervention to trace and rescue the victims.

According to the letter, the four were taken to Iran via multiple countries under the pretext of being sent to Australia before being kidnapped.

The group had departed India on October 19, flying from Delhi to Bangkok, then Dubai, and finally Tehran, where they checked into Hally Hotel on Bimeh Alley. Shortly after their arrival, they were allegedly abducted and held for ransom, with their families receiving a video from the kidnappers demanding money for their release.

Following appeals from local representatives, including the Bapupura village Sarpanch, the case was taken up by state and central authorities, and coordinated efforts were made through the Indian Embassy in Tehran. After prolonged negotiations and payment of ransom, all four victims were released.

Efforts are currently underway to identify the agent involved in the trafficking route, even as the rescued individuals make their way back home to Gujarat.