40 mins ago
Mehsana Police Negotiations Helped Free Three Gujaratis in Ethiopia
Three cousins from Gujarat went to Ethiopia hoping to continue a journey to the United States.
According to police, people there kidnapped them and demanded money for their release.
The cousins’ family reported them missing after losing contact.
Mehsana Police worked with a family contact to speak with a person calling himself “Baba Khan.”
The kidnappers first asked for a very large amount and later asked for less.
The family said it could not pay.
The cousins were then released without a ransom, and they flew back to India.
India’s Foreign Ministry said Ethiopian authorities rescued them in Addis Ababa.
Police are still trying to find an alleged travel agent linked to the case.
Three cousins from Gujarat returned to India on October 1 after being held in Ethiopia for about a week.
Mehsana Police said the cousins were abducted after travelling to Ethiopia on an alleged illegal migration route to the United States.
Police said the kidnappers initially demanded Rs 1 crore, then lowered the demand to Rs 15 lakh during negotiations.
Inspector A M Gehlot and others negotiated with a man using the name “Baba Khan”; the cousins were released without paying a ransom.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said Ethiopian authorities rescued the three in Addis Ababa, with the Indian Embassy and Indian law enforcement also involved.
- Who
- Cousins Mamta, Rutvik and Mayuri; Mehsana Police and Ethiopian authorities were involved in their return.
- What
- The cousins were allegedly kidnapped in Ethiopia and returned to India without paying the demanded ransom.
- Where
- They were held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and returned to Gujarat via Mumbai.
- When
- They returned to India on October 1, after leaving Ethiopia on September 30.
- Why
- Police said they had travelled as part of an alleged illegal route toward the United States and were abducted by people connected to the travel arrangements.
Mehsana Police account
MEA account
How the cousins were freed
Mehsana Police account
Mehsana Police described negotiations led by Inspector A M Gehlot and a family contact; the cousins were released without a ransom.
MEA account
MEA sources said Ethiopian authorities rescued the cousins in Addis Ababa, with the Indian Embassy in contact with local authorities and Indian law enforcement also contributing.
Key facts
- People involved
- Mamta, 30; Rutvik, 23; and Mayuri, 27
- Reported missing
- A missing-persons report was filed on September 29 at Langhnaj police station.
- Return to India
- The cousins flew from Addis Ababa to Mumbai on Ethiopian Airlines Flight ET 640 and arrived around 2 a.m. on October 1.
- Initial ransom demand
- Police sources said the alleged kidnappers demanded Rs 1 crore.
- Reduced demand
- Inspector A M Gehlot said the demand was later reduced to Rs 15 lakh.
- Ransom paid
- The cousins were released without paying the demanded ransom, according to police.
- Official account
- MEA sources said Ethiopian authorities rescued the three in Addis Ababa and that the Indian Embassy and Indian law enforcement contributed.
Quotes
A M Gehlot
Inspector with Mehsana Police involved in negotiations with the alleged kidnapper.
“Following the negotiations, the kidnappers brought their demand down to Rs 15 lakh. They said this was the lowest they were willing to go, at Rs 5 lakh per person.”
indianexpress.com
MEA sources
Sources in India’s Ministry of External Affairs.
“They were rescued by Ethiopian authorities in Addis Ababa. Our Embassy in Addis Ababa was constantly in touch with the local authorities on this matter. Indian law enforcement authorities also contributed to the efforts. The three Indian nationals returned home on October 1.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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