The Union government informed the Supreme Court on Friday (April 24, 2026) that 10 of the 26 persons who said they had been “human-trafficked” to Russia to fight against Ukraine are dead.
Appearing before a Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati further briefed the court that one of the surviving petitioners is under imprisonment for a crime, while another is “voluntarily continuing”.
SC steps in on plea of Indians ‘stuck’ in Russia, ‘forced’ into war with Ukraine
Ms. Bhati said the Centre is following a “multi-pronged strategy”, including advising young people not to accept offers to go to Russia. “Yet they enter into voluntary contracts,” she said, conceding that there were also cases of mules misguiding gullible individuals. The law officer for the Centre said the government was dealing with a “mixture of different kinds of people” here.
Chief Justice Kant said the issue required tactful handling. The court wondered whether it would be possible to bring back the mortal remains from a conflict zone.
