Bhojpur: The body of 26-year-old Gaurav, a resident of Sukhrauli village in Bhojpur district, was brought back from Iran nearly 11 months after his murder by drug peddlers. His remains arrived via Delhi on September 10, 2025, after DNA confirmation and embalming.
Murder After Kidnapping and Ransom Demand
According to family members, Gaurav was kidnapped in Iran on June 4, 2024, and a ransom of ₹2 crore was demanded from a Pakistani number. When the money was not paid, he was murdered by Iranian drug peddlers. Iran police informed about the death three months later, but the family had to wait nearly a year for DNA verification before the body could be released.
Emotional Farewell in Bhojpur
When Gaurav’s coffin arrived in the village, grief engulfed the family and villagers. The embalmed body, kept in plastic, had turned into a mummy. The smell forced the family to cremate him within an hour of arrival. Perfume was sprinkled on the body to allow villagers a brief last glimpse before cremation.
His father, Mungalal Sah, performed the last rites. “My son left home to earn money. He thought he would get two to four lakh rupees every month. But in this greed, he fell into the trap of drug peddlers,” he said in a choked voice.
Dream of Going Abroad Turned Tragic
The youngest among four sisters and three brothers, Gaurav had long dreamed of going abroad. Encouraged by his brother-in-law Gupteshwar, who worked in Dubai, he insisted on leaving India in early 2024.
On February 11, 2024, a recruiter named Mr. Sahu offered him work in Iran, assuring that all expenses would be covered. Gaurav left Bhojpur for Mumbai on February 15, and after a brief stay, flew to Iran via Sharjah later that month. He was promised factory work but instead fell into the clutches of drug traffickers.
Body Preserved With Embalming Fluid
Iranian authorities kept Gaurav’s body preserved with embalming chemicals, including formaldehyde and methanol, which prevent bacterial growth and slow decay. This allowed the remains to be transported to India nearly a year later.
Investigation and Unanswered Questions
The family continues to demand a thorough probe into the human trafficking and drug nexus that lured Gaurav abroad. Police sources said they are coordinating with central agencies to trace the network that facilitated his travel and eventual exploitation.
