A heart-wrenching video from Saudi Arabia shows Ankit Bhartiya, also known as Indrajeet from Prayagraj, pleading desperately for help after his sponsor allegedly seized his passport and forced him to herd camels under brutal conditions.
Indrajeet, who arrived in Riyadh on October 1 for a promised job, claims he is now trapped in the desert. Following his viral appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Indian officials, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh has assured it is actively seeking credible information to reach and rescue him.
However, Saudi Arabia’s Eastern Region Police stated that the video was shot with the intention to get more views and engagement. “The Eastern Region Police clarifies: A claim by an expatriate in a visual content expressing his desire to return to his country has no validity, and it was documented and published for the purpose of increasing the number of views on his account on one of the social media platforms,” stated @security_gov.
Indrajeet’s Plight: Government Reacts
After the video went viral, appeals swiftly flooded social media tagging Indian authorities. The Indian Embassy in Riyadh acknowledged the situation and has reached out, inviting his family to provide verifiable details to help locate and assist Indrajeet.
The Indian Embassy in Riyadh has responded, revealing it is actively trying to locate Indrajeet but currently faces limitations due to missing location and employer details. The mission has urged his family and social media users to provide concrete information to aid his rescue. As of now, authorities have not been able to confirm his precise whereabouts or identity, but official outreach continues.
”Embassy has been trying to locate the person. No further action can be taken as the video does not contain any details about the location/province in Saudi Arabia, or contact number or employer details,” said the Indian embassy.
Why Do Migrants Get Stuck?
Every year, thousands of Indians travel to Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries seeking work, often lured by agents or informal networks promising lucrative opportunities. However, many discover harsh realities: employers sometimes seize travel documents, restrict movement, enforce punishing working conditions, and threaten reprisals, leaving workers powerless. Past news reports have documented several Indian workers trapped due to fraudulent recruitment, coercion, or contract violations, illustrating a longstanding risk.
The Kafala System
Saudi Arabia’s infamous Kafala (sponsorship) system historically made workers’ employment, residency, and even exit from the country entirely dependent on their sponsor. Criticised globally for enabling exploitation, the system was formally abolished in June 2025.
In theory, reformed regulations now allow foreign workers to switch jobs, leave the country, and pursue legal cases without sponsor permission. However, rights groups and recent cases, such as Indrajeet’s, warn implementation remains patchy. Seizure of passports, forced labour, and lack of support are still reported, especially among low-paid or rural migrants, meaning practical protections can lag behind the law.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Indrajeet’s ordeal is both a tragedy and a call for reform. Migration for work should never mean forfeiting dignity, freedom, or safety. Meaningful change will require not only diplomatic action and law enforcement, but also robust regulation of recruitment and real accountability for those who exploit the vulnerable.
