A young couple from Gujarat, identified as Dhruv Patel (22) and Deepika Patel (32), fell victim to a brutal kidnapping plot while trying to migrate to the U.S. illegally. Lured by Mumbai-based agents with promises of a smooth entry into America, the duo left India on January 30. However, upon landing in Baku, Azerbaijan, on February 1, they were abducted by an armed gang and confined in a prison-like room in a remote area. The kidnappers used extreme violence, recording the torture and live-streaming it to the victims’ families via WhatsApp to demand a massive ransom.
The families revealed that the kidnappers threatened to harvest and sell the couple’s kidneys if their demands were not met. Desperate to save their loved ones, the families reportedly paid approximately ₹65 lakhs through a combination of cash and cryptocurrency. Despite the payment, the extortion continued, prompting the family to seek help from Anand MP Mitesh Patel, who immediately escalated the matter to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).
Following the intervention of External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, the Indian Embassy in Baku coordinated with local authorities to launch “Operation Mahisagar.” Within 24 hours, the couple was rescued from their captors and brought to the safety of the Indian Embassy. Investigations suggest that the gang, led by an Iranian national named Baba Khan and his associate Pawan Rocky, has a history of targeting Gujarati migrants. The couple is now expected to be repatriated to India, serving as a grim reminder of the dangers associated with illegal migration channels.
