Supreme Court asks MEA to invite compensation claims from families of Indians killed fighting for Russia
The government told the court that 51 Indians who joined Russian forces have died and 77 remain untraced. The bench also ordered free legal aid for affected families in four states.
The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Ministry of External Affairs to consider issuing a public notice inviting families of Indians killed in the Russia-Ukraine war to come forward and seek assistance and compensation.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said the right to seek compensation must be made enforceable, noting that many families had not yet been paid. The court asked the ministry to file a fresh status report with exact details of compensation received from the Russian government.
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Government's figures
According to the ministry's status report, 51 Indians who served with Russian forces have died and 77 recruits are still untraced. Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati told the court that about 267 Indians had joined the Russian armed forces, of whom 139 have been discharged. Russian authorities have confirmed seven of the untraced recruits as missing.
Bhati said Russia had processed six compensation claims, five in full and one in part, and that Russian authorities were cooperating. She said India would keep pressing for a simpler process. The ministry said officials were reaching out to affected families individually.
Legal aid for families
The bench directed District Legal Services Authorities in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana and Himachal Pradesh to give free legal help to families for filing claims, DNA tests and other formalities. The court noted that many of those who went to Russia in 2024-25 came from these states and had allegedly been misled by travel agents with promises of jobs.
The petitioners, who are seeking the return of mortal remains, compensation and a coordinated support mechanism, also asked for action against agents accused of recruiting Indians through false job offers. In an earlier order, the court had asked the Centre to appoint a nodal officer in the ministry and help with DNA matching; the ministry says a nodal officer is now in place.
Why it matters
The case highlights the risks faced by Indians lured abroad by unregistered recruiters. Families looking for work overseas are advised to use only government-registered recruiting agents and to verify job offers through official channels before travelling.
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