Gujarat’s Illegal Migration Web Exposed: Mehsana Family Kidnapped in Libya While Chasing Europe Dream
The kidnapping of a Mehsana couple and their three-year-old daughter in Libya has laid bare the dangerous and largely unregulated illegal migration networks operating out of Gujarat, a state otherwise projected as prosperous, progressive and economically secure. The family is being held hostage for a ransom of ₹2 crore after attempting to reach Portugal through informal and risky migration routes, officials confirmed on Saturday.
Kismatsinh Chavda, his wife Heenaben and their minor daughter Devanshi, residents of Badalpura village in Mehsana district, were abducted in Benghazi city — a known transit hub for undocumented migrants moving toward Europe. The family was travelling with the assistance of a Portugal-based agent, hoping to settle in the European country where Chavda’s brother is already based.
According to Mehsana Superintendent of Police Himanshu Solanki, the family flew from Ahmedabad to Dubai on November 29 and was subsequently routed to Libya, a common stopover in illegal migration pathways to Europe. Soon after their arrival in Benghazi, they were kidnapped by unidentified individuals. The abductors later contacted the family’s relatives in Mehsana, demanding ₹2 crore for their release.
Mehsana Collector S K Prajapati said the victim’s relatives approached the district administration on Friday, following which the matter was escalated to the Gujarat government and the Ministry of External Affairs. Sources said local MLA C J Chavda has also raised the issue with both state and central authorities, urging swift diplomatic intervention.
While officials are focused on securing the family’s release, the incident has once again drawn attention to Gujarat’s long-standing and uncomfortable relationship with illegal migration. Despite being one of India’s wealthiest states, Gujarat continues to witness a steady outflow of people attempting to reach Europe, the UK and the US through unauthorised routes, particularly from north Gujarat districts such as Mehsana, Banaskantha and Sabarkantha.
Law enforcement agencies acknowledge that a complex ecosystem of agents, sub-agents and international facilitators operates quietly across these regions. Families are often lured with promises of legal residency and employment abroad, but are instead funnelled through perilous transit countries like Libya, where migrants are vulnerable to kidnapping, extortion and trafficking.
Security officials say Libya has emerged as one of the most dangerous choke points in illegal migration corridors, with armed groups exploiting undocumented migrants who have little access to protection or legal recourse. Yet, the lure of Europe continues to override these risks, driven by social pressure, aspirational migration and the belief that overseas settlement guarantees long-term financial stability.
The Mehsana incident also raises questions about enforcement gaps within Gujarat. Despite repeated crackdowns, illegal migration rackets continue to thrive, often operating under the radar with forged documents, clandestine travel arrangements and international coordination. Critics argue that economic prosperity has not translated into migration deterrence, and that weak monitoring of agents and limited public awareness have allowed these networks to flourish.
For now, the fate of the Chavda family hangs in the balance. Their ordeal is a stark reminder that behind Gujarat’s growth narrative lies a parallel reality — one where families are still willing to risk everything, including the lives of their children, to escape through illegal routes that too often end in tragedy.
Gujarat and illegal immigration have become sort of synonyms. The Dingucha tragedy, which shook Gujarat and the nation in early 2022, remains one of the starkest reminders of the deadly consequences of illegal migration. Four members of a family from Dingucha village in Gandhinagar district — Jagdish Patel, his wife Vaishali, and their two young children — were found frozen to death near the Canada–US border in Manitoba while attempting to cross into the United States on foot during sub-zero temperatures. The family had allegedly paid a large sum to human smugglers who promised them safe entry into the US, but they were abandoned in extreme weather conditions, turning their American dream into a fatal nightmare.
The tragedy exposed the deep-rooted and organised illegal immigration networks operating out of Gujarat, particularly in north and central districts, where families are often lured by agents with false assurances of secure passage and jobs abroad. Investigations revealed that the Patels were part of a larger group being trafficked through a dangerous land route, highlighting how desperation, social pressure and aspirational migration continue to push Gujaratis toward life-threatening journeys. Even years later, Dingucha stands as a haunting symbol of how unchecked illegal migration rackets exploit hope, leaving irreversible human loss in their wake.
Also Read: US Cracks Down On Illegal Migration And Fraud Involving Gujarati Nationals https://www.vibesofindia.com/us-cracks-down-on-illegal-migration-and-fraud-involving-gujarati-nationals/
