An Indian man wanting to settle down in Australia was held hostage in Malaysia for four days before he was rescued, and his three alleged kidnappers arrested.
26-year-old Sanjeev Kumar, from the northern state of Haryana in India, was rescued last week by the Malaysian police after the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur intervened.
Mr Kumar travelled to Kuala Lumpur on 19th July after making a deal with a purported travel agent for an Australian visa in exchange of Rs 850,000 ($17,000), paying Rs 200,000 ($4000) in advance. He was told his Australian visa would be arranged in Malaysia, his family members say.
Police said Mr Kumar was kidnapped in Malaysia and told to call his family and ask them to pay the remaining amount.
“When Sanjeev called his parents, he used a code word to indicate that he was in trouble and family understood that he hadn’t yet reached Australia,” said Astha Modi, Superintendent of Police.
His family members say the use of code word saved him.
“When he called us, he said ‘it’s very hot here, pay them the money’,” Mr Kumar’s father, Krishan Lal said.
“We had decided before he left India that ‘hot’ would be a code word for trouble and ‘cold’ if everything is ok. When he called again I asked him if there was any hope of ‘cold’ weather, but he said ‘No. It’s very hot here, pay them as soon as possible’.” he said.
The police said the kidnappers threatened to sell off his organs if the family did not pay up.
“For three days, his family was able to speak to him on the phone, but after that, his phone was switched off and one of his kidnappers started demanding Rs 2,500,000 ($50,000) and threatened to sell Sanjeev’s organs,” Ms Modi said.
Ms Modi said they contacted the Indian High Commission in Malaysia and the local police in Kuala Lumpur were informed.
Mr Kumar was rescued on Saturday from a house 150 kilometres from the Malaysian capital and three men were arrested.
Ms Modi said Mr Kumar fell prey to a human trafficking gang that lured him on the pretext of sending them to Australia through Malaysia.
While Mr Kumar travelled to Malaysia on a valid visa, it ran out on 3rd August. He is still in Malaysia as he has to testify in the court against his kidnappers.
Police have also charged two travel agents in Patiala and Amritsar (Punjab).
