A promise of a well-paying job in Dubai turned into a year-long ordeal for a labourer from a village near Upleta in Rajkot district. Jagdish Manvar, 35, was stranded abroad after agents allegedly confiscated his passport, leaving him jobless and in hiding until police and the Indian Embassy stepped in.
The Lure of a Better Life
Manvar, who earned Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 a month in India, met a visa agent in Junagadh who promised him work as a deliveryman in Dubai with a monthly salary of Rs 70,000 to Rs 80,000. The agent was later arrested for allegedly defrauding others, but by then Manvar was already in Dubai.
According to Manvar's cousin, Narendra, who arranged funds for the trip, the family paid Rs 2.5 lakh to the agent for a work visa. Manvar was sent to Dubai on a visitor's visa with assurances of employment, housing, and good pay.
Stranded and Helpless
Upon arrival, Manvar was issued a work visa for a delivery job, after which local agents allegedly seized his passport. The visa restricted him to working only as a deliveryman. He briefly worked for a tomato sauce company, but the job ended within days. Unemployed, he stayed with a group of Indians and occasionally took up night labour work, hiding from authorities to avoid arrest for working without a valid visa.
The family sent an additional Rs 50,000 to support him. They repeatedly pleaded with the agents to return his passport, but were met with a demand for Rs 2 lakh. With no money left, they approached several police stations without success.
Intervention Brings Relief
Narendra finally contacted IPS officer Simran Bhardwaj, assistant superintendent of police, who used her contacts to reach officials at the Indian Embassy in Dubai. She explained the situation and sought help. The embassy responded positively, and Manvar was called for an interview. Arrangements were made for his return.
Manvar landed in Ahmedabad on May 7 and later reached Upleta by road. Narendra said the family had exhausted its resources and could not have brought him back without help. Manvar is now exploring legal options to file a complaint against those allegedly involved in the fraud.
