10 Indians Killed After Voluntarily Joining Russia-Ukraine Conflict, Centre Informs SC

The Central government informed the Supreme Court on Friday that several Indian nationals had voluntarily entered into contracts that eventually placed them in the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone, with at least 10 citizens killed while fighting for Russia.

"10 of the 26 persons have died. One is booked in a criminal case. One is deliberately continuing. They are voluntarily signing contracts. There are mules, agents who are provoking them to sign contracts", Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati said.

The deceased are part of a group of 26 individuals whose family members had approached the apex court through a joint petition seeking their safe return.

Of the remaining 16, one is currently lodged in a prison in Russia on criminal charges, while another has voluntarily opted to continue fighting in the war, the Centre said.

Bhati submitted that authorities have been pursuing a "multi-pronged strategy" and have been advising individuals against accepting such contracts.

How is the Centre handling families of Indians in the Russia-Ukraine conflict?

She added that the government has been in touch with the families and is addressing multiple aspects of the situation, including tracking the status and whereabouts of the individuals and facilitating the return of mortal remains.

According to the Centre, a total of 215 Indian nationals had travelled to Russia, mostly from Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, through agents.

The disclosure was made before a bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, which had on April 10 issued notice to the Centre on a habeas corpus plea filed by families of the 26 Indians said to be stranded in Russia and allegedly compelled to participate in the war.

Counsel for the petitioners, Advocate Ritwik Bhanot, flagged alleged inaction by the Ministry of External Affairs, stating that despite multiple representations, the authorities had failed to respond promptly.

He added that unauthorised private persons were extending more assistance to the families than the authorities.

The families have alleged that the individuals had gone to Russia for education and employment, but some were later compelled to fight in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine.

They have also sought directions for collection of DNA samples from relatives to aid in the identification and repatriation of mortal remains.

(With inputs from ANI)