An 18-year-old from Haryana’s Kaithal district was shot dead by human smugglers in Guatemala while attempting to enter the United States through the illegal ‘dunki’ route, according to his family, as reported by The Times of India.
Yuvraj, the only son of his parents from Mohna village in Pundri, had left for the US on October 13, 2024. His family learned about his death only last week after receiving a death certificate, allegedly issued in Mexico, stating that he died from a bullet injury on March 4 this year.
The family had reportedly paid ₹25 lakh in advance to local agents, out of a total ₹41 lakh deal, to send him to the US. “They had assured us that the full payment would be made only after he reached safely. But they kept asking for money under different pretexts,” said his father, Kuldeep to TOI.
Soon after the payment, Yuvraj lost contact with his family. Months later, they received distressing videos showing him and another youth from Punjab being held hostage in Guatemala. In the videos, smugglers were seen slapping and threatening them with pistols while demanding an additional ₹17.5 lakh for his release.
In his final recorded message, Yuvraj was heard pleading with his father. “Papa ji, they have taken us hostage. They are beating us badly. They will kill us... please send the money. Otherwise, they will kill us,” he said.
The family approached the Kaithal superintendent of police in March, seeking action against the agents and help in securing Yuvraj’s release. However, their efforts failed after they established contact with one of the smugglers, identified as Paul, a Nepalese national.
“He told us Yuvraj had been killed. When we asked for proof, he demanded money. We sent him 1,500 US dollars, after which he shared photos of the body and a copy of the death certificate,” said Yuvraj’s uncle, Kulwant to TOI.
Kulwant alleged that three Haryana-based agents, Devender Cheem, Navjot Dushain, and Navneet alias Neetu alias Michael, were involved in the case. He claimed Navneet, from Hasanpur village in Kurukshetra, masterminded the entire operation.
“Everything is destroyed now... I have lost all hope in life because my support is gone forever,” said Yuvraj’s mother, Sarabjit Kaur, in tears. “God will not spare those who did this to my son.”
Police investigations are underway, and the family continues to demand justice against those responsible for the teenager’s death.
(With TOI inputs)
Yuvraj, the only son of his parents from Mohna village in Pundri, had left for the US on October 13, 2024. His family learned about his death only last week after receiving a death certificate, allegedly issued in Mexico, stating that he died from a bullet injury on March 4 this year.
The family had reportedly paid ₹25 lakh in advance to local agents, out of a total ₹41 lakh deal, to send him to the US. “They had assured us that the full payment would be made only after he reached safely. But they kept asking for money under different pretexts,” said his father, Kuldeep to TOI.
Soon after the payment, Yuvraj lost contact with his family. Months later, they received distressing videos showing him and another youth from Punjab being held hostage in Guatemala. In the videos, smugglers were seen slapping and threatening them with pistols while demanding an additional ₹17.5 lakh for his release.
In his final recorded message, Yuvraj was heard pleading with his father. “Papa ji, they have taken us hostage. They are beating us badly. They will kill us... please send the money. Otherwise, they will kill us,” he said.
The family approached the Kaithal superintendent of police in March, seeking action against the agents and help in securing Yuvraj’s release. However, their efforts failed after they established contact with one of the smugglers, identified as Paul, a Nepalese national.
“He told us Yuvraj had been killed. When we asked for proof, he demanded money. We sent him 1,500 US dollars, after which he shared photos of the body and a copy of the death certificate,” said Yuvraj’s uncle, Kulwant to TOI.
Kulwant alleged that three Haryana-based agents, Devender Cheem, Navjot Dushain, and Navneet alias Neetu alias Michael, were involved in the case. He claimed Navneet, from Hasanpur village in Kurukshetra, masterminded the entire operation.
“Everything is destroyed now... I have lost all hope in life because my support is gone forever,” said Yuvraj’s mother, Sarabjit Kaur, in tears. “God will not spare those who did this to my son.”
Police investigations are underway, and the family continues to demand justice against those responsible for the teenager’s death.
(With TOI inputs)
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