Iranian Authorities Investigating Disappearance of Indian Nationals in Tehran

The Iranian Embassy has initiated a probe into the disappearance of three Indian nationals who went missing in Tehran earlier this month. All three men, hailing from Punjab, were in Iran on a stopover on May 1 while en route to Australia, where they had been promised high-paying job opportunities by a travel agent. Family members believe that upon their arrival, they were kidnapped by unidentified individuals who are now demanding a ransom of 5 million rupees (approximately $63,000 or £47,000). On Thursday, the Iranian Embassy issued a statement on X, assuring that they are coordinating with Indian authorities on the case and cautioning citizens against the risks associated with illegal immigration avenues. In light of these events, they strongly advised Indian nationals to be wary of misleading promises made by unauthorized agents or illegal agencies concerning international travel. This announcement followed a report from the Indian embassy in Iran, urging local authorities to swiftly locate the missing men and ensure their safety. The men are part of a broader trend, particularly among Punjabis, who seek better job prospects abroad. Unfortunately, many find themselves victims of deceitful travel agencies that charge exorbitant fees and lead them through unsafe or unauthorized channels, often lacking proper documentation. Gurdeep Kaur, the mother of one of the missing men, 23-year-old Amritpal Singh, shared her heart-wrenching experience with BBC Punjabi, shedding light on how her son was misled by a travel agent in Hoshiarpur, who assured her that Amritpal’s visa had been approved and demanded a payment of 1.8 million rupees. "They told us he would fly from Delhi to Australia on April 26. However, when my son arrived, they claimed his documents were not ready," Kaur recounted. Subsequently, Amritpal was allegedly rebooked on a flight scheduled for April 29, which later was cancelled as well. Finally, on May 1, the agent booked Amritpal and the two other individuals on a flight to Iran, labeled as a stopover for their journey to Australia. After arriving, Amritpal initially contacted his mother, stating he had landed safely, but shortly afterward, he called again, frantic, claiming he had been taken hostage. The communication abruptly ended, and he became unreachable. The families have attempted to reach out to the travel agents for answers, but have received vague responses and found the agents' premises locked the following day. Alarmingly, the families reported receiving video calls from unknown individuals showcasing the hostages, who were visibly injured. Initially demanding 20 million rupees, the ransom was later negotiated down to 5.4 million rupees. Gurdev Singh, Amritpal's uncle, lamented, "It has been more than ten days since we last heard from them," mentioning they have not yet paid any ransom. A police report has been filed against the travel agents, and investigations are ongoing. “We are actively searching for the three men,” Gursahib Singh, a police officer in Hoshiarpur, informed BBC Punjabi. Meanwhile, Husanpreet Singh’s home, another of the missing men, remains locked as his elderly grandmother struggles to reach out to relatives for assistance. The Indian embassy in Tehran has promised to keep the families updated on any developments regarding the case.In response to increasing incidents of illegal immigration and human trafficking, India has bolstered its crackdown on improper travel agencies, especially after numerous undocumented Indians faced deportation from the U.S., generating significant media attention.