3 Gujarat residents kidnapped in Ethiopia, family gets Rs 1 crore ransom call

Three Gujarat residents who left for the United States on 20 September via an alleged illegal migration route have been kidnapped in Ethiopia, their families say. The kidnappers have demanded Rs 1 crore for their release. Police said the three, Rutvik Jansari, Mamta Chavda and Mayuri, have been missing since 22 September. Mamta's father, Kiritbhai Chauhan, said the family paid an agent around Rs 70 lakh per person to arrange the journey. Agent Alpesh Panchal told reporters that Rs 60 lakh had already been paid to the abductors but they were still demanding Rs 1 crore.

The three travelled from Gujarat to Rajasthan, then flew from Jaipur to Abu Dhabi and on to Addis Ababa, where they obtained Ethiopian e-visas valid until 19 October. Mamta last spoke to her father on 22 September, saying they had reached Canada. A man calling himself 'Khan' later called the family with the ransom demand. A missing persons complaint was lodged at Langhnaj police station on 29 September. The families are appealing to the government to intervene and secure their safe return.