Four youths from Mansa kidnapped in Iran after being duped by agent promising jobs in Australia

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 kidnapped in Iran, prompting their families and local representatives to seek urgent help from the Union Home Ministry.

The matter came to light after Mansa MLA Jayantibhai Somabhai Patel wrote a letter to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, requesting immediate intervention to trace and rescue the four youths. The letter, dated 26 October 2025, states that the victims were taken to Iran via multiple countries under the pretext of being sent to Australia, before being abducted by a man identified only as “Baba”.

According to Patel’s letter, the victims — identified as Ajaykumar Kantibhai Chaudhary (31), Priyaben Ajaykumar Chaudhary (25), Anilkumar Raghajibhai Chaudhary (35), and Nikhilkumar Ramanbhai Chaudhary (28)— all hail from Bapupura village in Mansa taluka. They had paid an agent who promised to arrange their travel and employment in Australia.

Trafficked through multiple countries

The MLA’s letter states that the group left India on 19 October 2025 via Emirates Airlines, flying from Delhi to Bangkok, then Dubai, and finally landing in Tehran, Iran, at Imam Khomeini International Airport. From there, they were reportedly taken by taxi to a hotel identified as Hally Hotel, located on Bimeh Alley, between Somayeh Street and Taleqani Street, Tehran.

Shortly after their arrival, the four were allegedly kidnapped by a man known as “Baba”, whose phone number was shared by the families with Indian authorities. The kidnappers are said to have sent a video of the abducted group via WhatsApp to their families, demanding crores of rupees in ransom for their release.

The letter also includes hotel details and the contact number of the establishment, suggesting that the victims had been staying there briefly before their abduction.

Local representatives seek Centre’s help

The matter was also raised by Prakashbhai Chaudhary, Sarpanch of Bapupura village, who wrote separately to the Home Minister, confirming the abduction and providing the same travel and hotel details. Chaudhary’s letter states, “All four persons from our village went through an agent from Delhi claiming to send them to Australia. From Delhi, they were taken to Tehran via Bangkok and Dubai. Upon arrival in Tehran, they were kidnapped by a man named Baba.”

MLA’s appeal to the Home Ministry

In his letter, MLA Jayantibhai Patel urged the Union Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs to take urgent diplomatic and investigative action through the Indian Embassy in Tehran. “These four youths are from my constituency and have been kidnapped in Iran. Considering the seriousness of the matter, I request immediate investigation and intervention to ensure their safe return,” Patel wrote.

Officials from the Gandhinagar District Police said they have received preliminary information from the families and are coordinating with state and central authorities. “We are verifying the travel route, the identity of the alleged agent, and are awaiting directions from the Ministry of External Affairs for international coordination,” a senior officer said.

Sources in the Gujarat Police’s CID Crime and ATS said the case appears to involve illegal immigration networks operating between India and the Gulf region, where unsuspecting youths are trafficked under the guise of foreign job or study opportunities.

As of Sunday evening, efforts were underway to trace the location of the victims in Iran through diplomatic channels. The Indian Embassy in Tehran is expected to engage with local law enforcement after receiving formal communication from New Delhi.