3 U.S.-bound Gujarat residents missing in Ethiopia; kin allege abduction, ₹1 crore ransom demand

Three residents of Gujarat, including a man, two women, and all related to one another, have gone missing after traveling to Ethiopia from the U.S. via an illegal route, family members allege. The individuals, identified as Rutvik Jansari from Mehsana, Mamta Chavda from Mehsana currently residing in Ahmedabad, and Mayuri from Gandhinagar, were reportedly abducted by kidnappers demanding a ransom of ₹1 crore for their release.

The trio left for the U.S. on September 20, with the assistance of an agent from Mehsana district who connected them with another agent from Vadodara. According to their families, they had already paid ₹70 lakh for each person to send them to the U.S. However, upon reaching Ethiopia, the abductors took the three hostage and made their demands.

The families have claimed they have paid ₹60 lakh to the kidnappers but are now helpless, making an emotional appeal to the government to bring their children back safely. The three were reported missing by Mamta's father on September 22, after no contact was established with them since their departure. Police have registered a missing persons complaint in the Langhnaj police station.