New Delhi, April 24: The Supreme Court heard a petition on Friday alleging that Indian citizens are being lured to Russia under false pretenses and forced to fight in the war against Ukraine. The court has requested a detailed status report from the central government regarding this matter.
During the hearing, the government informed the court that ten Indian nationals have died while allegedly participating in the conflict in Ukraine. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati revealed that a total of 215 Indians had traveled to Russia, and among the 26 individuals mentioned in the petition, ten have lost their lives.
The government stated that most individuals went to Russia voluntarily under contract and chose to engage in the conflict. However, it did not dismiss the possibility that some may have been misled by agents. The government also noted that the Ministry of External Affairs is in contact with the victims’ families and is taking action at various levels. Efforts are being made to repatriate the bodies of the deceased, but cooperation from the families has been lacking, leading to coordination challenges as many families approach the court.
Chief Justice Surya Kant, overseeing the case, remarked that retrieving bodies from a war zone is an extremely difficult task. He emphasized the sensitivity of the situation and the need for careful handling. The court has directed the Ministry of External Affairs to submit a comprehensive status report detailing the actions taken so far.
The petition filed by the families of the 26 individuals contains serious allegations. It claims that agents sent people to Russia under the guise of job offers, where they were allegedly held captive and coerced into participating in the war. Families express concern over the lack of clear information regarding the conditions of their loved ones.
Notably, in a previous hearing, the Supreme Court had issued a notice to the central government, seeking a response. The court is now awaiting the government’s detailed report on the matter.
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