New Delhi: The Supreme Court has asked the Ministry of External Affairs to consider making a public announcement so that relatives of Indian nationals who died while serving in the Russia-Ukraine conflict can come forward to claim compensation and other support.
A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi observed that the entitlement to compensation must be actively enforced, particularly since only a small number of bereaved families had so far approached authorities. The direction came while the court was examining the Centre’s latest status report on Indians recruited into the Russian armed forces.
51 Dead, 77 Untraced
The government informed the court that around 267 Indians had joined the Russian military. Of them, 51 have died, 139 have been discharged, and the Indian embassy in Russia is still trying to establish the whereabouts of 77 recruits. Russian authorities have confirmed that seven of these recruits are missing.
The court noted that although 51 Indians had lost their lives, compensation claims had been processed for only six families. It said that the families of all those who died were entitled to seek compensation and asked the MEA to consider a public notice to reach them.
Details Of Russian Payouts
Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, representing the Centre, told the bench that Russia had so far dealt with six compensation claims. Five of these had been fully settled, while one had been partly settled.
The court directed the MEA to submit an updated report specifying the amount of compensation decided by Russian authorities and the payments actually received by the six families.
Free Legal Aid Ordered
The bench also asked the District Legal Services Authorities in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to ensure that affected families receive free legal assistance, as reported by The New Indian Express. The support should cover filing compensation claims, DNA testing and other legal or administrative steps needed to complete the process.
The MEA said its officials were in touch with affected families individually and were making every effort to help them. Bhati said diplomatic and consular efforts would remain crucial, adding that Russian authorities were cooperating and that India would continue pressing for a simpler procedure.
“Ultimately, our diplomatic and consular efforts will help,” Bhati submitted.
Alleged Duping By Agents
The case concerns allegations that travel agents lured Indians to Russia with promises of jobs in sectors such as hospitality. According to the petitioners, the recruits were stripped of their passports and other documents after reaching Russia, enrolled in the Russian Army and sent to the war zone.
The court noted that more than 200 people, largely from Rajasthan, Haryana and Punjab, travelled to Russia during 2024-25. Many later died, and after verification, the mortal remains of several were brought back to India, though many families are still awaiting compensation.
The petitioners have sought the return of mortal remains, compensation and a coordinated mechanism to assist affected families. They have also demanded action against agents allegedly involved in the recruitment. The court had earlier ordered the appointment of a nodal officer in the MEA to coordinate with families of those killed, missing or injured, and to help facilitate DNA matching with mortal remains.