Three residents of Gujarat—Rutvik Jansari, Mamta Chavda and Mayuri—who disappeared in Ethiopia after attempting to reach the United States via an illegal migration route have returned to India and are on their way to Mehsana district, police confirmed on Thursday. The trio left Gujarat on 20 September after reportedly paying agents tens of lakhs of rupees for the journey.
The three travelled through Jaipur and Abu Dhabi before arriving in Ethiopia. Their families lost contact after 22 September, prompting Mamta Chavda’s father to approach Langhnaj police. According to a complaint, Mamta had previously tried to obtain a US visa six times and, after failing, turned to intermediaries. The family was first connected to a person named Jitubhai, who linked them to Mehsana‑based agent Alpesh Patel and subsequently to Bhargav Patel of Vadodara. The cost was reportedly set at about Rs 75 lakh per person.
After reaching Ethiopia, a man identifying himself as ‘Khan’ demanded a ransom of Rs one crore for their release. Rutvik’s grandfather claimed Rs 60 lakh was paid after the captives were taken, but the demand persisted. The abductors are believed to be linked to the ‘Baba Khan network’, and the case is still under investigation. The Ministry of External Affairs and local authorities coordinated the trio’s arrival at Mumbai airport at 3 a.m. today.
The incident follows a series of similar tragedies involving Gujaratis seeking to enter the United States through illicit routes. In January 2022, a family of four from Dingucha froze to death while trying to cross from Canada into the US. In 2023, a Mehsana family drowned in the St Lawrence River, and in May 2025 a Mehsana family was aboard a capsized boat off California’s coast. Police continue to probe the abduction, ransom demand and the agents involved.
