In brief
The Iranian Embassy in India is investigating the case of three Indian men from Punjab who went missing in Tehran while traveling to Australia for job opportunities. Their families claim they were kidnapped and are being held for ransom. The Indian government has stepped in to ensure the men's safety, warning others about the risks of illegal immigration.
Following a troubling sequence of events, the Iranian Embassy in India is actively investigating the disappearance of three Indian nationals who went missing in Tehran this month. The men, from Punjab, were en route to Australia, having been lured by promises of lucrative jobs through a local travel agent. Upon their arrival on May 1, their families allege they were kidnapped by unknown assailants demanding a ransom of 5 million rupees (approximately $63,000). The Iranian Embassy issued a statement on X, assuring that it is keeping Indian officials updated and highlighting the perils of illegal immigration routes. They cautioned Indian citizens against falling prey to unauthorized agents. This comes after the Indian embassy in Iran urgently requestedAuthorities to locate the missing men. Many individuals from Punjab seek work abroad, often falling victim to unregulated travel operations that promise quick immigration without proper documentation. Gurdeep Kaur shared her ordeal as her 23-year-old son, Amritpal Singh, went missing after a deceptive process involving a travel agent in Hoshiarpur. The agent initially informed the family that Amritpal’s visa had been approved, asking for a substantial payment. However, after multiple flight delays and reroutes, the agent booked Amritpal and two others on a flight to Iran, framed as a stopover to Australia.Shortly after arriving in Tehran, Amritpal called his mother, confirming he had landed safely. But the conversation took a dramatic turn when he later informed her he had been kidnapped. Following that call, her son became unreachable. The family attempted to communicate with the travel agents, who first offered vague answers before disappearing themselves. Soon after, the family began receiving video calls from unknown men showing Amritpal and the others in distress. The kidnappers initially demanded 20 million rupees but ultimately settled for 5.4 million rupees. Despite ongoing investigations and police complaints filed against the travel agents, Gurdev Singh, Amritpal's uncle, raised concerns over the lack of communication about the three men’s welfare. Meanwhile, the family remains hopeful for their safe return. The Indian embassy assures that it will keep families informed.
