The Supreme Court of India on Friday heard a petition filed by families of Indian nationals who were allegedly deceived into joining the armed forces of Russia and later forced to participate in the ongoing war in Ukraine. During the hearing, petitioners informed the court that several families were receiving the bodies of deceased Indians in what they described as a “mutilated” condition, while also facing delays in compensation and uncertainty regarding the return of mortal remains.
The matter was heard before a bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, advocate Ritwik Bhanot told the court that many families were enduring severe emotional distress as they struggled to obtain information about their relatives who had travelled to Russia and subsequently became involved in the conflict.
Bhanot informed the court that in several cases, he personally had to contact families to inform them that their relatives had died. He further stated that the mortal remains being returned to India were allegedly arriving in severely damaged or mutilated condition, adding to the trauma faced by the affected families.
During the proceedings, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), representing the Centre, provided updated figures regarding Indian nationals linked to the Russian armed forces. According to the government, a total of 217 Indian citizens had joined the Russian military.
The Centre informed the court that through diplomatic intervention, 139 Indian nationals had already been released from service. However, officials stated that 49 Indians had died, six remained missing,g and the status of another 23 individuals was still unknown.
The petitioners’ counsel alleged that, despite Russian authorities reportedly offering compensation and pension benefits to the families of deceased recruits, the paperwork and administrative processes required to secure those benefits were not being properly facilitated by authorities.
Petitioners further claimed that they had already shared details of alleged recruitment agents, including mobile phone numbers and other identifying information, with Indian authorities. According to them, these agents were allegedly involved in luring Indians into joining the Russian military under misleading promises. However, they argued that no substantial action had yet been taken against the recruitment network.
Responding to the allegations, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that the Ministry of External Affairs had been fully cooperating in handling the diplomatic aspects of the issue. She also accused the petitioners’ side of sensationalising the matter during court proceedings.
At the same time, the Supreme Court observed that if affected families were legally entitled to compensation or any other consequential benefits, including pension-related payments, then the Ministry of External Affairs should actively facilitate the process and assist the families in obtaining such support.
In an affidavit submitted before the court, the MEA stated that the Indian nationals had primarily joined the Russian armed forces through so-called “employer contracts.” According to the ministry, many recruits had allegedly been lured by promises of high salaries, signing bonuses, Russian citizenship opportunities, and social security benefits.
The affidavit stated that recruits were reportedly offered a signing bonus of approximately 5,000 US dollars, along with monthly salaries of nearly 2,500 US dollars.
The ministry further noted that in some instances, family members were aware that their relatives had joined the Russian military and approached the Indian Embassy only after losing communication with them during the conflict.
According to the affidavit, the Indian Embassy had extended financial support through the Indian Community Welfare Fund to help repatriate the mortal remains of 24 deceased Indian nationals. So far, authorities stated that transportation of mortal remains had been completed in eight cases where families had provided consent.
However, lawyers representing the petitioners disputed aspects of the government’s handling of the situation. During the hearing, they alleged that in at least one case involving deceased Indian national Sumeet Sharma, the family became aware of the return of the body only after reviewing the MEA’s affidavit during the court proceedings.
The ministry’s affidavit also revealed that DNA samples from immediate family members of 21 individuals had been forwarded to Russian authorities to assist in identifying remains. Officials stated that one family had already formally submitted DNA samples for forensic testing.
The MEA additionally informed the court that it was assisting affected families in pursuing compensation claims from Russian authorities under Russia’s military compensation policies.
According to the affidavit, documentation from four Indian families had already been forwarded through the ministry to Russian authorities, and one of those families had reportedly received compensation. The ministry also stated that three other families who independently submitted applications directly to the Russian Defence Ministry had successfully received compensation payments.
The government further assured the Supreme Court that the Indian Embassy in Russia had remained in continuous contact with Russian authorities whenever information emerged regarding Indian nationals joining the Russian Army. The MEA stated that diplomatic notes had already been issued in connection with 25 individuals linked to the present court proceedings.
The case continues to raise serious concerns regarding alleged recruitment networks targeting Indian citizens with promises of lucrative employment abroad while exposing them to active conflict zones amid the Russia-Ukraine war.
