A video of a young man from Uttar Pradesh, India, pleading for help from Saudi Arabia has gone viral on social media, sparking widespread concern. The man, identified as Ankit Bharti—also known as Indrajit—claims that his passport has been confiscated, and he is being forced to work in harsh desert conditions against his will. While his emotional plea has caught national attention, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh has now stepped in to investigate the matter.

The Viral Video: A Cry for Help

In the video, Ankit can be seen speaking emotionally in Bhojpuri, with camels in the background. He claims to have been trapped in a remote desert area in Saudi Arabia, where he is made to herd camels instead of doing the job he was promised. According to him, his sponsor seized his travel documents shortly after his arrival.

He alleges that his wife, Pinky, and father-in-law, Rajesh Saroj, persuaded him to travel to Riyadh on October 1 with the promise of better job opportunities. However, upon reaching there, he was reportedly misled and left in isolation. “My passport has been taken away by my sponsor Kapil. When I said I wanted to go home, he threatened me,” Ankit says tearfully in the clip.

He continues, “Please share this video as much as you can. I want to go back to my mother. Whether you are Hindu or Muslim, please help me. If no one helps me, I will die here. I want to go home.” His desperate words have moved thousands of viewers online.

प्रयागराज के तहसील हंडिया ब्लॉक-प्रतापपुर थाना सरायममरेज के अतंर्गत मियांकापूरा के रहने वाला है ये लड़का। pic.twitter.com/o8YgJBu0ba

— कल्पना श्रीवास्तव 🇮🇳 (@Lawyer_Kalpana) October 24, 2025

Embassy Reacts: Tracking the Man’s Whereabouts

The video was first shared by Delhi-based criminal lawyer Kalpana Srivastava, who urged authorities to take immediate action. Within 24 hours, it had been viewed over 1.4 lakh times and reshared across multiple social platforms.

Responding to the viral post, the Indian Embassy in Riyadh stated on X (formerly Twitter) that they are actively trying to trace the individual. “The embassy is attempting to locate the person. However, the video does not include details about the location, province, contact number, or sponsor, which makes it difficult to proceed further,” the post read.

The embassy also reached out directly to lawyer Kalpana Srivastava, requesting her to gather more information from the source of the video. “@Lawyer_Kalpana, please obtain additional details from the source,” the embassy wrote.

Furthermore, Indian officials have contacted authorities in Uttar Pradesh, urging them to locate the family of the missing individual. “Since the person has identified himself as a resident of Prayagraj, we request @DM_PRAYAGRAJ @Sp_prayag @prayagraj_pol to contact his family and advise them to write to us at cw.riyadh@mea.gov.in,” the embassy added.

A Case Amid Changing Labor Policies

This incident comes at a time when Saudi Arabia has recently reformed its “Kafala” sponsorship system, which historically gave employers significant control over migrant workers. Despite these reforms, many cases of passport confiscation and forced labor continue to surface, particularly among low-wage workers.

Ankit’s case highlights the persistent risks faced by Indian laborers in the Gulf region—especially those who travel through unverified recruitment channels or informal agents. Many are promised well-paying jobs but end up trapped in exploitative working conditions.

Ongoing Search and Appeal for Information

As of now, Indian authorities have not confirmed Ankit’s identity or current location. The Embassy has appealed to the public for credible leads—particularly to residents of Prayagraj who might know Ankit or his family.

The post reads, “Anyone with reliable information—especially relatives or acquaintances in Prayagraj—is requested to contact the Indian Embassy directly.”

While investigations are still underway, this case serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by migrant workers abroad and the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to ensure their safety and legal protection.

For now, all eyes are on the Embassy’s next move and whether Ankit’s desperate plea from the desert will lead to his safe return home.