Overview
- The government, in a hearing on Friday, told the Supreme Court that ten Indians who went to Russia died fighting in the war in Ukraine as the bench ordered the External Affairs Ministry to file a detailed status report.
- Of the 26 people named by their families in the petition, the Centre said ten are dead, one is jailed in Russia on criminal charges, and one chose to remain in Russia, while the petition seeks safe return for those still there.
- The Centre said many had signed voluntary contracts with Russian entities, but relatives alleged they were duped with job offers, had passports seized, and were forced into combat after sending about 120 unanswered pleas.
- Government counsel said officials arranged to return at least one set of remains but a family asked to delay collection, and the Chief Justice noted that recovering bodies from an active war zone can be extremely hard.
- Officials said 215 Indians went to Russia, many via agents in northern states, and reported one agent’s arrest, while identification of the dead relies on DNA matching once remains reach a safe area.