The Union Government on Friday informed the Supreme Court that out of approximately 217 Indian nationals who had joined the Russian armed forces during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, 49 individuals have lost their lives, while six remain missing.
The submission was made in a petition filed by family members of Indian nationals allegedly recruited into the Russian military through agents and contractual arrangements.
Appearing for the Union Government, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati informed the Court that after diplomatic engagement with Russian authorities, 139 Indian nationals had already been released from their contractual military engagements. Providing updated figures to the Court, the ASG submitted:
“About 217 Indian nationals had joined the Russian armed forces. After the diplomatic engagement, 139 nationals have been released from the contractual engagements. 49 nationals have lost their lives in the conflict. And six nationals have been confirmed missing.”
The Court was further informed that among the 26 individuals whose families had approached the Supreme Court in the present writ petition, 14 cases pertained to confirmed deaths, 11 individuals were still missing in action, while one person was presently incarcerated in a criminal case.
The Union Government also informed the Bench that mortal remains of eight deceased individuals had already been brought back to India and handed over to their families, while DNA verification processes were underway in other cases. The ASG submitted:
“The DNA reports are being sent to the Russian authorities and they are being correlated.”
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioners raised concerns regarding compensation being offered by Russian authorities and the alleged lack of coordination in processing claims. It was submitted before the Court that Russian authorities had sought completion of compensation-related formalities for affected families.
Responding to these concerns, the Union Government stated that Indian diplomatic and consular authorities were actively facilitating such processes. The ASG clarified:
“We are facilitating that also through our consular and diplomatic measures.”
The hearing also witnessed sharp exchanges regarding alleged recruitment agents who had purportedly facilitated travel and enrolment of Indian nationals into the Russian military. Counsel for the petitioners argued that several victims had specifically named agents involved in recruitment and alleged that stronger action ought to be taken. The Union Government responded that details and lists of such persons had already been collected and appropriate measures were being undertaken.
Counsel for the petitioners further informed the Court that some families had learnt about the deaths of their relatives only shortly before the hearing after the filing of the government’s status report. The counsel submitted:
“As these proceedings are going on, there is a prayer meeting going on in their houses.”
Counsel for the petitioners submitted before the Court that in some cases, only bodily remains or “flesh and bones” of deceased Indian nationals were being brought back to their families. Referring to the condition in which some mortal remains had allegedly been recovered, the counsel highlighted the trauma being faced by grieving families during the repatriation process.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati objected to the manner in which the submissions were being made and urged that the matter not be sensationalised, especially considering the sensitive diplomatic and humanitarian efforts underway. The ASG responded:
“It’s very unfortunate that my colleague is sensationalising this.”
The Court observed that the claims relating to compensation and other consequential benefits payable to the affected individuals or their family members shall be considered by the concerned authorities in accordance with law and posted the matter for further consideration.