How to get A1454 iPad mini network unlocked

Hello All,

I bought the Apple Ipad Mini A1454 from 5th Avenue Store, NY by paying $459.

I assumed the phone will be unloced to any cellular network as I live in London and we get all Apple product unlocked to network if you but from Apple Directly.

My Ipad was working fine with Wi-Fi when I was in London. I went to business trip in India and put Indian Vodafone sim for cellular use. As soon as I put sim in - Ipad gave me message "No Sim" and immidiately i thought its locked.

When I checked in Settings - its got confirmed its locked as it was showing AT&T1.3

I never lived in US and never had contract with AT&T.

I contacted Apple - who as normal adviced me to contact AT&T. AT&T has dropped email, post my ticket to get it unlocked - Sorry we cant help and you were/are not our customer.

So I am wondering is there any way some one from APPLE - if reading this can advice - what should I do to get it free to any cellular use across globe?

Many Thanks in advance

Sid