‘Dunki’ route: 3 Punjabis on way to Australia kidnapped in Iran; Rs 1 crore ransom demanded

Three Punjab men, who had left for Australia through an illegal pathway, have been allegedly kidnapped in Iran.

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The Indian Embassy in Tehran has sought the assistance of the Iranian authorities to locate them and ensure their safety.

The victims have been identified as Hushanpreet Singh, a resident of Sangrur, Jaspal Singh from Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar (SBS Nagar) and Amritpal Singh of Hoshiarpur.

According to their family members, the three men were promised a safe passage to Australia via a Dubai-Iran route by travel agents based in Punjab.

They were assured of accommodation in Iran before onward travel. However, shortly after landing in Iran, the men were allegedly kidnapped.

The accused demanded a ransom of Rs 1 crore for their release and even sent their family members a disturbing video showing the three men tied with yellow ropes, with blood dripping from their arms.

According to a statement released by the Indian Embassy on social media, family members of the missing individuals informed the embassy about their disappearance, after which the Indian Government actively coordinated with the Iranian authorities.

“The embassy has strongly taken up this matter with the Iranian authorities and requested them that the missing Indians should be urgently traced and their safety should be ensured. We are also keeping the family members regularly updated of the efforts being made by the embassy,” the Indian embassy posted on X.

Meanwhile, Amritpal’s family members said they came to know about their kidnapping on May 1.

Amritpal told them on a phone call that the kidnappers were beating them up and demanding money.

Amritpal’s father Joginder Singh said after they expressed their inability to pay such a huge amount, the kidnappers started demanding Rs 18 lakh per youth.

They said their son Amritpal Singh had left home last month to go to Australia.

The Hoshiarpur police said they had lodged a case against the three travel agents, who had arranged their travel to Australia.

The accused, identified as Dheeraj, Kamal Atwal and a woman, are on the run.