Gujarati Missing Case: Passport Entries of Two Found in France on Caribbean Island – 2019 and 2022
New North Gujaratis, who departed from Gujarat to enter the United States via the Danki route, have been missing for over a year. Their relatives have filed a petition in the Gujarat High Court, revealing that they were last seen in February 2023 on the French-administered Caribbean island, as per Interpol reports. However, it’s noted that two individuals from this group had shown entry to France in 2022 and 2019, indicating prior passport entries to France from Gujarat. This new group had departed from Gujarat in January 2023, as per the application filed in the Gujarat High Court.
Matching Passport Numbers among New Group
Information shared between Interpol and international police, Implementation Agency for Crime, Security, and the Indian Embassy in France reveals that Balvantsinh Vaghela from Gujarat was last located near the Canadian border in 2019 and Sudhir Patel was seen in France’s Port of Saint Lucia in 2022. Interpol reports do not mention any other individual besides these two. The authorities of Saint Lucia and Interpol have provided passport numbers, which match two individuals from the new group.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Letter Exchange
Interpol forwarded this report to the Dominican Island. Following the investigation by the Dominican Island Interpol, inquiries were made regarding the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of India’s correspondence. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs has also stated that these missing individuals did not travel legally, thus complicating tracing efforts for other governments.
Possibility of Detention in Guadeloupe Detention Center
According to information, these new individuals might be detained in a detention center in Guadeloupe, a French-administered territory. However, the Indian Embassy in Paris had previously communicated with the authorities of this territory. No information was provided to them about any Indian nationals being present there.
Seeking Urgent Visa Assistance from Court
The applicant has hired a female advocate from there and an advocate from Paris. There is a possibility that both advocates will go there, so that they can seek urgent visa assistance from the court. However, the court had refused to entertain this matter. The applicant admitted that they were traveling to nearby countries without visas. The Dominican Republic police were also contacted.
January 2023: Departure for America
In January 2023, nine Gujaratis set out for America.
February 3, 2023: Disappearance from Caribbean Islands
On February 3, 2023, nine Gujaratis disappeared from the Caribbean islands as they were traveling towards St. Martin’s Island by boat from Commonwealth Dominica.
August 19, 2023: Filing of Public Interest Litigation (PIL)
On August 19, 2023, a PIL was filed in the High Court.
August 24, 2023: Directives to Communicate with Ministry of External Affairs
On August 24, 2023, the High Court directed the petitioner’s lawyer to communicate with the Ministry of External Affairs and informed them about filing an affidavit on this matter.
September 18, 2023: Efforts by Indian Government to Locate Missing Individuals
On September 18, 2023, based on the plea made in the High Court, the Indian government is making efforts to locate the nine missing individuals. Discussions are ongoing with foreign high commissions. The court was informed that the matter has also been brought to the attention of the Central Home Minister. They are exploring the possibility of the missing individuals being in the Guadeloupe Islands in the Caribbean. France has been contacted to obtain information from the Guadeloupe authorities regarding the missing nine individuals.
October 20, 2023: Court Not Provided with Proper Status Report by Ministry of External Affairs
On October 20, 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs did not present a proper status report before the court, except for writing letters to other countries.
December 13, 2023: Status Report Not Considered Adequate
On December 13, 2023, the Ministry of External Affairs presented a status report before the court, which was deemed inadequate.
February 5, 2024: Court Informed about Illegally Detained Individuals
On February 5, 2024, the court was informed that the authorities there did not provide the government with information about the missing individuals and could detain them. The court was informed by Paris’s lawyer to hire a higher court to obtain information, and two lawyers will go there.
February 14, 2024: Further Hearings in High Court
On February 14, 2024, there will be more hearings in the High Court.
