3 US-bound Gujaratis missing in Ethiopia; relatives claim kidnapping, ransom demand of ₹1 million

Representative image | Photo credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto

Three Gujaratis, who reportedly went to the US illegally, disappeared after reaching Ethiopia, with their families claiming they were kidnapped and that the kidnappers demanded a ransom of ₹1 million for their release.

The whereabouts of three people – two women and a man – could not be ascertained after September 22, police said on Tuesday (29 September 2026).

They left for the US on September 20 with the assistance of an agent from Mehsana district who allegedly put them in touch with another agent from Vadodara, their relatives told reporters, demanding government intervention to bring them back home safely.

The three missing individuals, all related to each other, have been identified as Rutvik Jansari from Vadsma village in Mehsana, Mamta Chavda, originally from Mehsana and currently residing in Ahmedabad, and Mayuri from state capital Gandhinagar.

Mamta’s father Kiritbhai Chauhan said the family paid around ₹70,000,000 for each of the three individuals to the agent who sent them to the US.

After reaching Ethiopia, Africa, the three were held captive and the kidnappers demanded ₹1 million for their release, he claimed.

“We have already paid huge money to send them (to the US). We have nothing left and we are helpless. We are asking the government to bring our three children back safely,” Mr Chauhan said in an emotional appeal.

Rutvik’s grandfather Kanubhai Jansari also claimed that the kidnappers demanded ₹1 million for the release of the three persons and that ₹60 lakh had already been paid to the kidnappers. He did not provide further details.

Local agent Alpesh Panchal also told reporters that those who kidnapped the three persons in the African nation demanded a ransom of ₹1 million.

Police said all three were reported missing and their whereabouts could not be ascertained after September 22.

Mamta’s father filed a missing persons complaint on Tuesday (September 20, 2026), said Inspector AM Gehlot of Langhnaj police station.

According to the complaint, Mamta’s husband Chirag Kumar went to the US on a student visa about six months ago. Mamta reportedly tried several times to get a US visa but failed, after which her family approached middlemen to arrange for her to travel to the US through an illegal route, Mr Gehlot said.

An amount of ₹75 lakh per person was reportedly fixed for the trip and Mamta, Rutvik and Mayuri left their homes on 20 September.

“On September 22, Kiritbhai spoke to his daughter Mamta. After that there was no contact with her. A missing person’s report was registered at Langhnaj police station after family members failed to establish contact with the trio,” the inspector said.

Published – 30 Sep 2026 10:53 IST