A young man from Jalandhar who was allegedly kidnapped and held hostage in Kenya while attempting to travel to Italy has returned home safely after a prolonged ordeal. Rakesh Kumar arrived back home on September 21 and was emotionally reunited with his family after weeks of uncertainty.
The emotional scenes unfolded when Rakesh embraced his 11-month-old daughter for the first time since his return. Family members became overwhelmed as he held the child close, while tears rolled down his face.
Recounting his experience, Rakesh said he and two other Punjabi youths, Avtar Singh and Surinder Singh, had been allegedly lured by a travel agent with the promise of being sent legally to Italy. However, upon reaching Kenya, they were reportedly taken to a secluded location near Nairobi where a gang consisting of Pakistani and Kenyan nationals allegedly seized their passports, cash and other documents.
According to Rakesh, the victims were then held captive and subjected to severe physical abuse. The kidnappers allegedly demanded a ransom of USD 70,000, approximately Rs 58 lakh, from their families in exchange for their release.
Rakesh stated that a travel agent, Balwinder Kumar of Bharsinghpura village near Phillaur, had agreed to arrange an Italian visa for Rs 95 lakh. The family had reportedly paid Rs 2 lakh in advance. The agent allegedly told them that after reaching Kenya, the visa would be stamped on their passports within two days through the Italian Embassy in Nairobi.
Rakesh left India on August 4, 2026, and arrived at Nairobi airport on August 5. He said a driver waiting outside the airport took the group in a vehicle. During the journey, several other individuals joined them before they were taken to a concealed house. He claimed that three Pakistani nationals and three Kenyan nationals, including two women, were present there.
According to his account, the situation worsened on the second day of captivity. Rakesh alleged that the kidnappers tied his hands and feet, stuffed cloth into his mouth and applied red colour to his face to make it appear as though he was seriously injured and bleeding. He said a video was then recorded at the direction of the gang's alleged leader, identified as “Khan Baba,” threatening to kill the hostages unless the ransom amount was paid.
The video was reportedly sent to Rakesh's maternal uncle, Somnath, who lives in France. After receiving the footage, the family immediately sought assistance from the Indian Minorities Federation's Kulwinder Singh and Rajya Sabha member Satnam Singh Sandhu.
According to the family, coordinated efforts involving MP Satnam Singh Sandhu, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and Kenyan police led to a rescue operation. On the night of September 10, at around 2 a.m., Kenyan police allegedly raided the hideout, rescued the three Indian nationals and arrested six suspected kidnappers.
The accused were subsequently remanded to 14 days of police custody by a Kenyan court. With assistance from the Indian Embassy and after completing the required legal procedures, Rakesh was able to return to India safely.
Following his return, Rakesh urged Punjab's youth to remain cautious and avoid falling prey to unverified travel agents offering overseas opportunities. He also advised people to avoid illegal or risky migration routes through third countries.
The family has demanded strict legal action against fraudulent travel agents and called for the cancellation of licences of those found involved in such cases.