Supreme Court Steps In to Help Families of Indians Killed or Missing in Russia-Ukraine Conflict

In a significant relief for families of Indians who lost loved ones or are still searching for relatives caught in the Russia-Ukraine war, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Central government to establish a dedicated support mechanism to coordinate assistance and ensure timely communication.

A Bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant, along with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana, instructed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to appoint a nodal officer who will serve as the primary point of contact for families of those who have died, gone missing, or sustained injuries while fighting in the conflict.

The court further directed the MEA to facilitate DNA matching wherever required to help identify mortal remains and assist grieving families in bringing back the bodies of their relatives. Recognising the challenges many families face in navigating legal and diplomatic procedures, the Bench also asked the ministry to provide assistance in filing compensation claims before the Russian Embassy in New Delhi.

To ensure families remain informed throughout the process, the court ordered that all relevant information, updates and communications be provided in vernacular languages, making them accessible to people across different regions.

The directions came while hearing a petition filed by relatives of Indians who allegedly died or went missing after being recruited to fight in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. According to the petitioners, several Indians were duped by travel agents with promises of jobs abroad but were instead forced into combat roles on the war front.