Delhi youth's Australian visa dream turns into Iran kidnapping nightmare; freed after ransom paid in Punjab

What began as a 26-year-old’s pursuit of an overseas career ended in terror, as a man from northwest Delhi was allegedly kidnapped, tortured and ransomed in Iran.

Himanshu Mathur, a resident of Karala, was held captive for a week by a gang in Chabahar before his release was secured through a Rs 20 lakh ransom, according to police accounts cited by TOI.

The promise of an Australian visa 



Mathur’s ordeal began when he came into contact with Aman Rathi, who introduced himself as an immigration operator from Karnal, Haryana. Rathi persuaded him that completing a “Continuous Discharge Certificate” course in Noida would pave the way to a ship job and eventually an Australian work visa.

After the 15-day course, Rathi allegedly told Mathur that an Indonesian agent could arrange the visa for Rs 19 lakh. In August, Mathur flew to Jakarta to meet him. Rathi’s associate, identified as Vishal from Panipat, joined them.

On August 9, Mathur’s brother, Dimpy, was asked to hand over Rs 12 lakh in Karnal as part payment. The remaining Rs 7 lakh was to be settled later, TOI reported.

From Jakarta to Tehran - and a trap

Following nearly three weeks in Jakarta, Mathur returned briefly to Delhi with Rathi and Vishal. On August 29, Mathur and Rathi flew out again, this time to Tehran. He was made to believe Australia was their next destination.

Instead, the group was diverted to Chabahar, where they fell into the hands of a gang. Police sources told TOI that Rathi had been in touch with an “agent” named Mithu, who turned out to be part of the network running the kidnapping racket.

Brutal captivity and ransom demands

In his statement to police, Mathur recalled the torment. “They thrashed us with metal pipes and threatened to kill us and sell our organs if the ransom wasn’t paid,” he said.

The gang contacted Dimpy through video calls, showing Mathur being beaten. Initially, they demanded Rs 1 crore but later reduced it to Rs 20 lakh following negotiations. The payment was reportedly made in Jalandhar to an associate linked to the gang.

Release and return home 



After the ransom was delivered, Mathur and Rathi were released near Chabahar airport. They flew back to Delhi on September 7.

“When the victim landed at IGI Airport, he looked traumatised,” a police officer told TOI. At the family’s request, Mathur was allowed to return home and recover before giving a detailed statement.

Delhi Police have registered a case under sections 140 (kidnapping or abduction for ransom) and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.