New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central Government to appoint a dedicated nodal officer in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to coordinate directly with the families of Indian nationals who have died, suffered injuries, or gone missing after being recruited into the Russian military during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana passed a series of directions aimed at facilitating the return of mortal remains, expediting DNA matching, and streamlining compensation processes for the affected families.
The directions came while hearing a petition regarding Indian citizens—primarily hailing from Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan—who were allegedly duped by deceptive travel agents under the pretense of employment in the hospitality and service sectors in 2024–25. Upon arrival in Russia, their travel documents were confiscated, and they were forcibly inducted into the armed forces to serve in combat zones. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the court that according to the latest official records, 219 Indians had been drawn into the conflict, resulting in 51 reported deaths, while 139 individuals were successfully discharged through sustained diplomatic engagements.
Under the new directives, the MEA must officially notify and share the contact details of the designated nodal officer, ensure all operational updates and documentation guidelines are provided in vernacular languages, and expedite DNA testing protocols required to identify remains. The apex court also instructed the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and state legal services authorities to provide legal and administrative assistance to families claiming compensation from the Russian government. The court concluded its directions by emphasizing that diplomatic, consular, and legal assistance must remain swift to ensure dignity for the deceased and timely support for their surviving relatives.
