A man from Nirpura village in Baghpat allegedly spent nearly 22 months being held captive in Thailand and Malaysia after being promised a job abroad. The alleged agents reportedly lured him with a chocolate-packing job in Malaysia offering a monthly salary of ₹90,000, collected lakhs of rupees from him, and then sent him to Thailand instead. He was allegedly detained, assaulted and later taken into Malaysia through an illegal route. His family was also allegedly forced to send additional money during the period. After returning to India, the man allegedly faced death threats when he demanded the return of his money.
The victim, Rohit Modha, said two youths from his village introduced him to their relatives from Deoband in Saharanpur district, who were involved in travel agency-related work. They allegedly assured him that they could arrange a job in Malaysia involving chocolate packaging, with a monthly salary of ₹90,000. Believing the offer, Rohit agreed to travel abroad for employment.
According to his complaint, the accused visited his home in June 2022 and collected copies of his Aadhaar card and passport, along with photographs and other documents. They allegedly took a total of ₹5.39 lakh from him in several instalments on the assurance that they would arrange his travel to Malaysia and obtain a work permit.
However, in December 2022, Rohit was allegedly sent to Thailand instead of Malaysia. He claimed that he was given only a one-month tourist visa, despite being promised a work permit. Soon after reaching Thailand, people allegedly associated with the agents took possession of his passport and confined him.
Rohit alleged that when he objected to the deception, he was assaulted. The alleged handlers subsequently demanded another ₹1 lakh from his family, claiming that the money was required to arrange a work permit and take him across the Thailand-Malaysia border through an illegal route.
After being taken to Malaysia, Rohit allegedly did not receive the promised employment. Instead, he claimed that he remained captive for nearly 22 months. During this period, his family was allegedly made to send another ₹1.14 lakh. According to Rohit, the people holding him captive pressured his family by informing them about his situation and demanding further payments.
After the prolonged confinement, the accused allegedly sent him back to Thailand through an illegal route. On July 10, 2024, Thai police reportedly arrested Rohit on charges related to illegal immigration. He said he remained in a Thai jail for around three months and paid a fine of 25,000 Thai baht before being deported to India.
Rohit returned to India around eight months ago and subsequently approached the alleged agents in Deoband to seek the return of the money he had paid. According to his complaint, the accused initially sought six months to return the amount. After the period ended, he allegedly received threats when he again demanded his money.
The victim has further alleged that the same group may have sent other youths abroad on similar promises and subsequently held them captive to extract money from their families. Police are expected to verify this claim as part of the investigation.
Considering the seriousness of the allegations, Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar Chauhan has directed Doghat police to investigate the matter. Investigators will examine the money allegedly paid to the agents, visa and travel documents, communications and the circumstances surrounding Rohit’s detention in Thailand and Malaysia.
Police will also verify the allegations concerning illegal border crossing, assault, additional payments and threats. Officials said that if the allegations are substantiated during the investigation, a case will be registered against the alleged agents and strict legal action will follow. The investigation may also determine whether other victims were targeted through the same overseas employment network.
