SC agrees to hear plea seeking safe repatriation of 26 Indians allegedly detained in Russia

The Supreme Court on Friday agreed to hear a plea seeking directions to the Centre to take steps to facilitate the safe repatriation of 26 Indian citizens who have allegedly been detained in Russia and forced to fight in the ongoing war with Ukraine.

Taking note of the plea, a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and Vipul M Pancholi asked Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present in the court, to take instructions on the issue.

The counsel appearing for the petitioners told the bench that these 26 individuals were Indian citizens who were stuck in Russia. He claimed that they were compelled to take part in the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine.

Mehta told the bench that he would examine the plea and take instructions (from the Centre). The bench granted time to the top law officer to take instructions in the matter and posted the plea for hearing later this month.

The plea has sought directions to the Centre to take immediate diplomatic and consular measures through the Indian embassy in Russia to ascertain the whereabouts, legal status and safety of the detained Indian citizens.

It has also sought directions to secure consular access to these individuals in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, and the applicable bilateral consular agreements.

The plea said the Centre should take all necessary diplomatic steps to facilitate their protection, welfare and safe repatriation to India, wherever permissible under international law.

It has sought directions to facilitate communication between the detainees and their families and also to ensure that the detainees receive appropriate medical care, humanitarian treatment and legal assistance, wherever required.

The plea sought a direction to the Centre to place on record an affidavit setting out the protocol, procedure and standard operating mechanism followed by the government in cases where Indian citizens are reported missing, detained or stranded abroad.

It also sought a direction to the government to apprise the court of the steps already undertaken by the authorities in relation to these detainees.

The plea also sought directions to the states of Rajasthan, Haryana, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh to initiate and strengthen investigation and enforcement mechanisms against illegal recruitment agents operating within their jurisdictions who induce Indian citizens to travel abroad under false pretences.

It urged that these states be directed to identify and prosecute those involved in illegal overseas recruitment, trafficking and exploitation of Indian citizens.