The Supreme Court of India on Friday took serious note of a petition seeking the urgent repatriation of 26 Indian citizens who have allegedly been detained in Russia and coerced into participating in the ongoing war against Ukraine.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice Vipul M. Pancholi directed Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to seek instructions from the Central Government regarding the safety and status of these individuals. The matter has been scheduled for further hearing later this month.
The petition highlights the plight of 26 Indian nationals who are reportedly “stuck in Russia” against their will. According to the counsel appearing for the petitioners, these individuals were compelled to take part in the active conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
The plea underscores a grave humanitarian crisis, alleging that these citizens are being held under duress and forced into combat roles. The petitioners are seeking the court’s intervention to ensure their “safe repatriation to India,” arguing that the government must act to protect its citizens abroad.
The plea specifically seeks directions for the Centre to initiate immediate diplomatic and consular measures through the Indian Embassy in Russia. Key demands include:
- Locating the Citizens: Ascertaining the exact whereabouts, legal status, and safety of the 26 detained individuals.
- Consular Access: Securing access to the detainees in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, and relevant bilateral agreements.
- Welfare and Communication: Facilitating regular communication between the stranded individuals and their families in India, while ensuring they receive necessary medical care and legal assistance.
The petitioners have also requested that the Centre file an affidavit outlining the “standard operating mechanism” followed by the government when Indian citizens are reported missing or stranded in foreign territories.
Beyond the immediate rescue operations, the petition draws attention to the root cause of the crisis: illegal recruitment networks. It seeks directions for the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab, and Himachal Pradesh to strengthen their enforcement mechanisms against rogue agents.
The plea alleges that these agents “induce Indian citizens to travel abroad under false pretences,” leading to trafficking and exploitation. The petitioners have urged the court to direct these state governments to identify and prosecute those involved in such illegal overseas recruitment rackets.
During the brief hearing, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the Centre, informed the bench that he would examine the plea and take the necessary instructions from the relevant ministries.
The Supreme Court has granted the government time to gather these details and will revisit the case toward the end of the month to assess the steps taken for the protection and return of the Indian nationals.
