2 US-bound Indians on 'Dunki' route kidnapped, tortured in Guatemala: Report

Two young men in their 20s hailing from Haryana and Punjab, in their bid to migrate to the US through the 'Dunki route', have allegedly been kidnapped in Guatemala. The kidnappers are demanding $20,000 as ransom.

The families of the young men have appealed to the Indian government to help them ensure their safe return. As per a report by The First Post, Haryana government has registered a case against the local travel agents.

Many Indians have attempted to immigrate to the United States illegally via Central America through what is know as the 'dunki route'. Guatemala acts as a transit country.

Yuvraj Singh, one of the men kidnapped is a resident of Mohna village in Kaithal district of Haryana, had left for the US in October last year.

His father Kuldeep Singh, as per a report by News18, met with Kaithal Superintendent of Police Rajesh Kalia requesting immediate action for their safe return.

Singh said that the kidnappers had sent a video of his son being tortured at gunpoint. He added that they demanded $ 20,000 for his release.

According to Singh, he had arranged for a legitimate way to enter the US through an agent. The deal was done for Rs 41 lakh, with an initial payment of Rs 2 lakh.

He said, “I gave the passport of my son to these three agents including one from Kurukshetra, and the deal was done for Rs 41 lakh and he paid Rs 2 lakh in advance. They then said that they will take the rest of the money once he reached US. But while he was on the way, he took another Rs 14 lakh from me.’’

Yuvraj's family stopped receiving calls from him after a few days. The agents reassured the family that they would be able to contact Yuvraj after he reached America and he was currently passing through areas where phone network are unstable.

In December 2024, the families received distressing footage of the youths being abused. The ransom demands varied from $20,000 to $40,000

According to the First Post report, Singh said, “These agents are hand in glove with the kidnappers. At times, they say the kidnappers are demanding $20,000, then they say they are demanding $40,000.”

The second youth is a resident of Dasuaya, Hoshiarpur district in Punjab. His family too received the kidnapping video in December and they tried to contact the agents, who have disappeared since.