Newdelhi: The Supreme Court said the right to seek compensation must be enforced and asked the Ministry of External Affairs to consider issuing a public notice inviting the families of Indians who died while fighting in the Russia-Ukraine war to seek assistance and compensation.
The ministry told a bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi that 51 Indians who fought in the war had died, while 77 recruits remained untraced. The court also reviewed efforts to identify and repatriate mortal remains, secure compensation, and help the affected families complete legal and administrative formalities.
The court asked the ministry to file a fresh status report specifying the compensation paid by the Russian government to six families whose members died in the war zone.
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, appearing for the Centre, said the Russian government had processed six compensation claims, with five settled fully and one partially. The bench emphasized that the right to seek compensation was available to the families of all 51 deceased individuals. It directed the District Legal Services Authorities of Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh to comply with earlier instructions providing free legal aid to these families.
This assistance covers the submission of claims, DNA tests, and other necessary legal and administrative procedures. Bhati informed the court that approximately 267 Indians had joined the Russian armed forces, of whom 51 had died and 139 had been discharged. The Indian embassy in Russia is working to trace 77 recruits, which includes seven individuals confirmed by Russian authorities as missing.
The bench acknowledged the ministry's approach of contacting affected families individually while expecting authorities to actively assist in filing compensation claims. It also addressed ongoing challenges such as obtaining compensation from Russia, delays in DNA identification, and repatriating mortal remains.
Bhati stated that all possible diplomatic and consular efforts were underway, noting that Russian authorities had been cooperating and the government continues to push for a simplified process.
The court additionally reviewed the case of Sikandar Singh, who received an eight-year prison sentence in Russia following a molestation conviction, discussing potential avenues to transfer him to an Indian prison after he withdraws his ongoing appeal in Russia. Petitioners also called for action against fraudulent agents involved in recruiting citizens through false employment promises, prompting the appointment of a dedicated nodal officer.
The proceedings stem from a plea concerning Indian nationals duped by travel agents into joining the Russian military. The court noted that over 200 individuals, primarily from Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab, traveled to Russia in 2024-25 under the guise of hospitality work before having their documents seized and being deployed to war zones.
The bench noted that while many lost their lives and some mortal remains have been repatriated, several families have yet to receive compensation. The court called for continued support, updated payout details, and intensified efforts to locate the 77 missing recruits.