Jalandhar Youth Rescued From Kidnappers in Kenya, Returns Home After Weeks in Captivity

September 22, 2026

Jalandhar: A youth from Bhaini village in Jalandhar’s Phillaur area, who was allegedly kidnapped after reaching Kenya on the promise of being sent to Italy, has been rescued and returned home. Rakesh Kumar reached home on August 21 and, on seeing his 11-month-old daughter, broke down emotionally. He later narrated the events from the time he left Punjab until his rescue.

Rakesh said an agent from Jalandhar had promised to send him to Italy, but told him that he would first have to travel to Kenya, where the required documentation would be completed before he was sent to Italy.

According to Rakesh, soon after he landed at the Kenya airport, people waiting outside identified him from his photograph and took him in a taxi to a secluded location.

He said two other youths were also taken there and held captive. The kidnappers allegedly told them that they had to recover money from their agent. Rakesh claimed that three Pakistani nationals and three Kenyan nationals, including two women, were present at the location.

Videos showing the youths in captivity were allegedly made to pressure the agent to pay the money, after which their families were asked to pay a ransom of Rs 58 lakh.

The family later contacted Kulwinder Singh France and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu after seeing the videos. Following the intervention, Kenyan police rescued the youths and they were subsequently brought back to India.

Rakesh said he and his companions had returned safely with the help of God and the police.

Rakesh Narrates Journey From Punjab to Kenya

Rakesh Kumar said that through a relative, he came in contact with an agent, Balwinder Kumar, from Bhains Pur village in Phillaur and his associates. The agent allegedly promised to send Rakesh to Italy legally for Rs 95 lakh.

The family paid Rs 2 lakh in cash as an advance, and they have photographs of the payment, Rakesh claimed. The agent allegedly told him that he would first have to travel to Kenya, where his passport would receive an Italy visa stamp from the embassy in Nairobi within two days, after which he would travel directly to Italy.

Believing the agent’s promise, Rakesh left on August 4, 2026, and reached Nairobi, Kenya, on August 5.

Youths Allegedly Taken to Secret Location

According to Rakesh, a driver was waiting outside Nairobi airport with his photograph. He said the driver took him and two other youths, Avtar Singh and Surinder Singh, in a vehicle.

After travelling a few kilometres, a local man and a Pakistani national allegedly joined them. The three youths were then taken to a house away from the city.

Rakesh claimed that three Pakistani nationals and three Kenyan nationals, including two women, were present there. Their mobile phones, passports, visa documents, euros and Indian currency were allegedly taken away, and the youths were confined to a room.

Videos Allegedly Made to Demand Money

Rakesh said the kidnappers told them that their agent had not paid them and that they would recover the money through the youths.

He alleged that the kidnappers began threatening and assaulting them from the second day of their captivity. Rakesh said videos were recorded to pressure his family and the agent into making a payment.

According to him, the youths were forced to make statements in the video demanding payment of $70,000 to a person identified as Khan Baba, whom they described as the alleged Pakistani gang leader.

Kenyan Police Rescue Three Youths

Rakesh said the video reached his maternal uncle Somnath, who lives in France, and other family members, who became concerned about their safety.

The family then contacted Kulwinder Singh France of the Indian Minority Federation and Rajya Sabha MP Satnam Singh Sandhu. According to the family, Sandhu and the Indian Embassy coordinated with Kenyan police and the Ministry of External Affairs.

Rakesh said Kenyan police conducted a raid at around 2 a.m. on September 10. He initially became frightened during the operation but later realised that the people conducting the raid were police officers.

The police reportedly arrested six people at the location, including three Pakistani nationals and three Kenyan nationals.

Rakesh Appeals to Youths to Avoid Fraudulent Agents

After the rescue, the youths were taken to a police station and later kept under the protection of the Indian Embassy in Nairobi with assistance from the embassy.

According to the family, a Kenyan court sent the arrested accused to 14 days of police custody. After legal formalities and recording of statements, the youths returned to India.

After reaching home, Rakesh became emotional while meeting his 11-month-old daughter and family members.

Rakesh appealed to youngsters in Punjab not to fall for false promises made by travel agents. He advised people travelling abroad to obtain their visa through proper official channels and ensure that the visa is stamped on their passport before leaving India.

The victim’s family has sought strict legal action against the local agents allegedly involved in the case and demanded cancellation of their licences.