6 hrs ago
Punjab Mason Returns Home After 43-Day Kenya Kidnapping Ordeal
Rakesh Kumar is a mason from Punjab who wanted to travel to Italy for a job.
He left India on August 4, but he was taken to a place in Kenya instead.
People there allegedly took his passport, phone, money and clothes.
They also allegedly hurt him and showed videos to his family.
The kidnappers asked his family for US$70,000 to let him go.
Rakesh’s family contacted Indian authorities and Kenyan police.
Kenyan police rescued him on August 10.
He stayed in custody while officials checked that he was not involved in the crime.
After 43 frightening days, he returned home on September 17 and saw his young daughter again.
Rakesh Kumar, a 30-year-old mason from Punjab, left India on August 4 hoping to reach Italy for work.
He was allegedly taken from Kenya airport, stripped of his belongings and held by a network led by a man calling himself “Khan Baba.”
His family said captors demanded US$70,000 and showed them videos of Rakesh being beaten and allegedly tortured.
Kenyan police rescued Rakesh and another man on August 10 and arrested several alleged local agents.
Rakesh remained in police custody for about 37 more days before returning to India on September 17.
- Who
- Rakesh Kumar, a 30-year-old mason from Punjab, was allegedly kidnapped by a network of agents; his family, Indian authorities and Kenyan police sought his release.
- What
- Rakesh was allegedly held for ransom, while his family received torture videos and a demand for US$70,000.
- Where
- He travelled from India toward Italy but was allegedly abducted and held in Kenya; he returned to his home in Punjab.
- When
- He left India on August 4, was rescued on August 10, and returned home on September 17 after 43 days.
- Why
- The alleged captors demanded money for his release and reportedly claimed that an Italy-based agent owed them money.
Key facts
- Victim
- Rakesh Kumar, 30, a mason from Bhaini village in Punjab’s Jalandhar district
- Departure
- August 4, travelling from Jaipur to Sharjah with Italy as his intended destination
- Ransom demand
- US$70,000
- Rescue
- Kenyan police rescued Rakesh and another man on August 10
- Return home
- September 17, after a total of 43 days
- Alleged ringleader
- A person identifying himself as “Khan Baba”
- Legal action
- Rakesh’s father filed an FIR against Balwinder Singh, Kiran, Parmjit Singh and Khan Baba
Quotes
Rakesh Kumar
Punjab mason who was kidnapped and held captive in Kenya
“For a man who had spent days under the control of people demanding money for his release, the sound could mean only one thing. They had come to kill us”
indianexpress.com
“The face of my four-year-old daughter flashed before my eyes. Who would give her the best future if I was not there?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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