Overview
- The Supreme Court on Friday, July 31, directed the Ministry of External Affairs to notify a nodal officer to coordinate with families of Indians who died, were injured or went missing after travelling to Russia for work and later joining Russian military service.
- The court ordered DNA testing and matching before handing over mortal remains so families can be sure of identity and receive bodies with a certificate of DNA test for last rites.
- The Centre told the court and the media that diplomatic work has secured the release of 139 Indians and that it is pursuing the return of roughly two dozen who remain with the Russian army.
- The MEA must help families file compensation claims with Russian authorities and provide information in local languages while NALSA and state legal services are to give free legal aid for DNA procedures, claims and repatriation steps.
- Reporting and court filings say many victims were likely lured by fraudulent recruiters with false job offers and had documents seized on arrival in 2024–25 which made tracing, identification and repatriation difficult and increased urgency for coordinated government action.