Gujarat couple rescued in Azerbaijan after alleged kidnapping for ransom

A couple from Gujarat’s Anand district who were allegedly kidnapped and held hostage for ransom in Azerbaijan while attempting to travel to the United States have been rescued with the assistance of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a local MP said on Tuesday.

Dhruv Patel and his wife, Dipika, were released following the intervention of Indian authorities and are now safe, Anand MP Mitesh Patel said in a video statement.

According to the BJP MP, the couple’s parents approached him two days ago, stating that their son and daughter-in-law had been abducted in Azerbaijan. The family reportedly received a video call from the alleged kidnappers, who demanded ransom for the couple’s release.

The MP said the couple had been travelling to the United States with the help of agents who had allegedly promised them illegal passage to America.

After being contacted by the family, Mitesh Patel said he made a representation to the MEA and met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in New Delhi on Monday during the ongoing Parliament session.

Following the intervention, the MEA contacted the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan. Within 24 hours, the couple were rescued and taken to the Indian mission in Baku, the capital of the South Caucasus nation, he said.

The alleged kidnappers had threatened to kill the couple if the ransom was not paid, the MP added.

Appealing to young people in Anand district, Patel urged them not to rely on illegal agents to go abroad and instead seek opportunities within the state. He thanked the MEA and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their efforts in securing the couple’s safe return.