Gujarat Couple On 'Donkey Route' To US Rescued From Azerbaijan After Rs 65 Lakh Ransom

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 21:36 IST

Dhruv Patel, 22, from Jhakharia village, and Dipika Patel, 32, from Kantharia, were kidnapped in Baku.

Two people from Gujarat’s Anand district who set out for the United States through illegal migration routes returned from what their family describes as dungeon-like captivity in Azerbaijan, following a swift 24-hour diplomatic intervention by the Indian government.

Dhruv Patel, 22, from Jhakharia village, and Dipika Patel, 32, from Kantharia, were kidnapped in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, while attempting to reach the US through what is commonly known as the “Donkey Route"- illegal travel across multiple countries with the promise of eventual entry into North America.

They were held hostage for ransom, beaten during livestreamed video calls to their families, and threatened with the removal and sale of their kidneys on the black market, according to statements made by their family and Anand MP Mitesh Patel.

Torture Livestreamed To Families

The couple left India on January 30, having been persuaded by Mumbai-based agents that they could reach the United States through an irregular route. They arrived in Baku on February 1, but shortly after landing, they were allegedly abducted by unknown individuals and taken to a deserted house.

Family members in Anand said that the kidnappers made contact through WhatsApp video calls. During those calls, Dhruv was allegedly beaten in front of his relatives while the kidnappers demanded money and threatened to remove and sell both captives’ kidneys if their demands were not met.

The families said that they paid Rs 65 lakh to the kidnappers in a combination of cash and cryptocurrency. However, despite receiving the payment, the abductors’ demands reportedly continued, and they threatened to kill the two if additional ransom was not paid.

Anand MP Mitesh Patel said the couple’s parents had approached him two days earlier with details of the kidnapping.

“Two days ago, parents of Dhruv Patel and Dipika Patel contacted me and told me that they were kidnapped in Azerbaijan. They said they received a video call in which people from Azerbaijan demanded ransom for their release," he said.

Patel said he immediately escalated the matter, travelling to New Delhi where Parliament was in session, and made a high-level representation to the Ministry of External Affairs. He met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to explain the situation in detail.

“This incident was truly heartbreaking. As soon as I received information, I immediately contacted Dr S Jaishankar. Due to our government’s promptness, the rescue was successful within 24 hours. I express my gratitude to PM Modi and the Foreign Minister and appeal to the public not to fall prey to the deadly shortcuts offered by these fake agents," Patel said.

Following the representation, the MEA contacted the Indian Embassy in Baku. According to the MP, within 24 hours, both individuals were rescued and brought to the Embassy premises.

At present, Dhruv and Dipika are under the protection of the Indian Embassy in Azerbaijan. Their return to India is expected once legal formalities are completed.

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