Supreme Court of India expressed concern over Indians allegedly recruited into Russia Ukraine war, noting reported deaths and passport seizures. Bench led by Surya Kant sought detailed report on 215 affected citizens.
During the hearing of a petition before Supreme Court alleging that recruitment agents misled or trafficked Indian nationals into joining the Russian military, the Centre informed the court that, among the 26 individuals mentioned in the plea, 10 have already died in the Russia–Ukraine war. The Union further stated that some people are reportedly continuing to serve under “voluntary contracts.”
However, the Bench expressed serious concern regarding the reported deaths and about allegations that passports have been seized. The court directed the Union to file a more detailed status report covering all 215 citizens said to be connected with the crisis.
The Bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul Pancholi was hearing a writ petition filed under Article 32 of the Constitution. The petition raises grave constitutional issues relating to the protection of the life, liberty, dignity, and livelihood of Indian citizens who are alleged to be stranded, detained, or forcibly recruited in circumstances connected to the ongoing armed conflict in the Russia–Ukraine region.
ALSO READ: Russia-Ukraine War| Delhi Court Denies Bail to Man Accused of Trafficking Indians
ASG Aishwarya Singh Bhati appeared for the Union of India. The petitioners contended,
“We have been human trafficked out of the country; they are not even in touch with us. This is not a case of inaction they are simply not in contact with us at all.”
ASG Bhati submitted that she had received all instructions and offered either to file an affidavit or to present charts regarding the 26 individuals, while noting that there are 215 persons in total. She stated that she could demonstrate how the government had communicated with the parents or families of each of the citizens.
CJI Kant remarked,
“Unfortunately, they have been killed recently. I incidentally read in the newspaper that one of them was recently killed in the war.”
The ASG also informed the court that the family of the last petitioner had been aware of the development. She said the family had been in contact with the government seeking help to bring back the mortal remains, but later indicated that they lacked the capacity to proceed.
She added that, as the family told the authorities,
“Now you keep the mortal remains; we are going to court.”
READ ALSO: DAY 2 | At the International Court of Justice(ICJ), South Africa VS Israel
She described this as the nature of their conduct and said the government was bringing this to the court’s notice while emphasising that there were “human angles,” and that the government aimed to support every Indian citizen needing assistance.
CJI Kant observed that there were “two aspects” to the matter first, the loss of life, and second, issues concerning the mortal remains. The Chief Justice stated that the court had doubts regarding the remains and that more information was needed.
ASG Bhati stated,
“Yes, I have the status of these 26 individuals. Ten have already passed away, one is imprisoned in a criminal case, and one is voluntarily continuing. The Indian government has been working with them and advising them, but they enter into voluntary contracts.”
Counsel for the petitioners responded,
“No, we have not. Our passports have been confiscated. Our passports have been confiscated.”
ASG Bhati rebutted that multiple factors were involved and that the government was taking responsibility for the issues. She said that, according to one issue raised, agents and “mules” were allegedly misguiding the persons, but those agents had not been arrested. She stated that although one person had been arrested in a criminal case, no agents had been arrested, and she claimed that the authorities had been informed of the arrest. She submitted that the matter involved different categories of people and that she could file a report on due process.
Counsel then submitted that “One hundred and twenty representations were made in the last two months, and none were answered.” Counsel indicated they would file a further representation and added that they might also present a video submitted by the victims.
The ASG responded that she would instruct her colleagues to assist in helping the petitioners.
Counsel further submitted that the petitioners had been reduced to holding dharnas outside the MEA’s office, and that protests had been held and other forms of pressure were being used to secure assistance. Counsel added, “I may pass on a video of the victims.”
READ ALSO: Delhi High Court Allows Ukrainian Mother to Return Home with Child
Counsel also stated that passports and money were allegedly being taken by agents and that a foreign agent had been paid 160,000. Counsel argued that the petitioners’ claim of being unsupported by the MEA was being addressed by assistance from “unauthorized citizens,” who, counsel said, were helping more than the MEA itself.
The petitioners stated that following the last communication received from the detainees, they made repeated representations to authorities including the Ministry of External Affairs, the Embassy of India in Moscow, the Ministry of Home Affairs, state governments, local police authorities, and other governmental bodies. They said these efforts were intended to trace the detainees, secure their protection, and facilitate repatriation. Despite repeated requests, the families alleged they still did not have verified information regarding the safety, medical condition, detention status, or whereabouts of the detainees.
The petition also raised concerns regarding the existence and operation of illegal recruitment networks within India, which allegedly encourage economically vulnerable citizens to travel abroad on false pretences, exposing them to serious risks, including forced involvement in armed conflict. The petitioners argued that the state’s failure to effectively regulate and prevent recruitment activities has resulted in alleged violations of fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
The court had asked the Union Government to examine the plea filed by the families of 26 Indian nationals allegedly lured by illegal recruitment agents and allegedly forcibly enlisted into the Russian armed forces. In response, the court directed ASG Bhati to file an affidavit.
Cause Title: Divya and Ors. v. Union of India and Ors. Writ Petition (C) No. 451/2026