Mehsana: Three Gujarat residents who allegedly travelled towards the US through an illegal route have gone missing after reaching Ethiopia, with their families claiming they were abducted and that a ransom of Rs 1 crore was demanded for their release.

The missing persons, two women and a man who are related to each other, have not been traced since September 22, police said.

The three have been identified as Rutvik Jansari of Vadsma village in Mehsana, Mamta Chavda, originally from Mehsana and currently living in Ahmedabad, and Mayuri from Gandhinagar.

According to their relatives, the three left for the US on September 20 with the help of an agent from Mehsana, who allegedly put them in touch with another agent from Vadodara. The families have appealed to the government to intervene and ensure their safe return.

Mamta's father, Kiritbhai Chauhan, said the family had paid around Rs 70 lakh for each person to an agent to facilitate their journey to the US.

He alleged that after the three reached Ethiopia, they were held captive and the kidnappers demanded Rs 1 crore for their release.

"We have already paid huge money to send them (to the US). We have nothing left and are helpless. We request the government to bring our three children back safely," Chauhan said, making an emotional appeal.

Rutvik's grandfather Kanubhai Jansari also alleged that the kidnappers had sought Rs 1 crore for the release of the three and claimed that Rs 60 lakh had already been paid to them. He did not provide further details.

A local agent, Alpesh Panchal, also told reporters that those who allegedly kidnapped the three in Ethiopia had demanded Rs 1 crore as ransom.

Police have confirmed that the three have been reported missing and that their whereabouts have remained unknown since September 22.

Mamta's father filed a missing persons complaint on Tuesday, Inspector A M Gehlot of Langhnaj police station said.

According to the complaint, Mamta's husband, Chirag Kumar, travelled to the US around six months ago on a student visa. Mamta allegedly made several attempts to obtain a US visa but was unsuccessful. Her family subsequently approached intermediaries to arrange her travel to the US through an illegal route, Gehlot said.

The journey was allegedly arranged for Rs 75 lakh per person. Mamta, Rutvik and Mayuri left their homes on September 20.

"On September 22, Kiritbhai spoke to his daughter Mamta. After that, there has been no contact with her. A missing person's complaint was registered at the Langhnaj police station after family members failed to establish contact with the three," the inspector said.