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A human trafficking probe in Surat, Gujarat, began after Pankaj Rawat accused agents Abdul and Pradeep of extorting Rs 35 lakh and forcing him on a ‘dunki’ route to the US.
A barbed-wire barrier and the border fence at the US-Mexico border. (Photo for representation: AP)
A major human trafficking investigation is underway in Surat, Gujarat, after a Haryana resident, Pankaj Rawat, filed a complaint against two travel agents who allegedly extorted Rs 35 lakh from him and forced him through a dangerous, illegal route to the United States. The complaint comes in the wake of increasing deportations from the US, with Canada having already deported three flights of Indians, including 74 Gujaratis, since Donald Trump took office in January.
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The largest number of Indian deportees from the US hail from Punjab and Gujarat. While none of the deported Gujaratis have raised complaints against the agents involved, Pankaj Rawat’s case has brought a disturbing human trafficking network to light. His ordeal prompted Surat police to launch a full-scale investigation into the matter.
The Alleged Trafficking Operation
According to the complaint, Rawat came into contact with an agent named Abdul in January 2024 in the Hojiwala Industrial Area in Surat’s Sachin locality. Abdul claimed to have successfully facilitated illegal entry to the US for several people and assured Rawat that he could arrange his passage as well, for a hefty fee of Rs 35 lakh. Rawat initially paid Rs 20 lakh and provided his passport details. A few months later, Abdul demanded the remaining Rs 15 lakh, which Rawat handed over in May 2024.
Journey Over 11 Countries
On August 6, 2024, Abdul arranged for Rawat to travel from Mumbai airport to Guyana. Before departure, Rawat’s passport and SIM card were seized. Abdul directed him to contact another agent named Pradeep for further guidance. What followed was a harrowing journey through 11 countries, starting with a treacherous jungle route to Brazil. From there, Rawat was transported by bus to Peru and then by taxi to Ecuador, where he was detained for 25 days. He was then moved to Colombia and held in Monterrey City for four months. When Rawat demanded his money back, Abdul and Pradeep allegedly threatened him with death.
Rawat was subsequently forced through a dangerous jungle route to Panama City, where he was beaten repeatedly over a period of 10 days. He was then moved to Costa Rica, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, where he was held for 15 days before being transported to a hotel in Hermosillo, Mexico, on a taxi. After a 15-day stay, Rawat entered the USA through the Tecate border on February 1, 2025 where he was arrested within days by the US authorities. His belongings and SIM card were confiscated, and he was held in jail for illegal entry.
On February 16, Rawat was deported to India, with his flight landing in Amritsar. Following his return, Rawat filed a complaint at the Panipat police station in Haryana, which was subsequently transferred to Surat. The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) registered a case against Abdul and Pradeep, charging them with breach of trust, criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and human trafficking. “As per a pre-planned conspiracy, the agents – Abdulla and Pradeep – sent the complainant abroad promising him work and accommodation in the USA, and took Rs 35 lakh from him,” the FIR stated.
Surat police launched a detailed investigation into the alleged trafficking network and are working to identify any additional victims. “Based on Rawat’s complaint, the police have launched an investigation,” PTI reported a Surat crime branch official as saying.
The case has highlighted the growing problem of human trafficking under the guise of illegal immigration, exposing the dangerous and exploitative routes used by traffickers to smuggle desperate individuals into the US.
- Location :
Surat, India, India