Bring back Indian student detained by Ukraine for fighting for Russia: Delhi HC to Centre

The Delhi High Court on Monday asked the Central government to take serious steps to bring back a 22-year-old Indian student named Sahil Majothi, who was detained by the Ukrainian forces on allegations that he fought for Russia in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war [Hasinaben Samsudinbhai Majothi vs Union Of India & Anr]..According to reports, Majothi claims that he was forced to join the Russian army to avoid imprisonment in a false drug case.His mother has now sought the Delhi High Court's intervention in the matter to issue directions that could aid the return of her son to India. Justice Sachin Datta today remarked that the Majothi must have been forced to join the Russian army and that the Indian government must try to get consular access to him. "He must have been forced to join the Russian Army. Please take all steps to bring him back," the Court said. Accordingly, the Court ordered,"Let the respondents [Union government] make serious and urgent efforts to ascertain the whereabouts of the petitioner’s son and ensure his safety and wellbeing. Appropriate steps be also taken to obtain access in terms of the ‘Vienna Convention on Consular Relations’ and to initiate steps for repatriation of the petitioner’s son. Further, attempt shall be made to facilitate the petitioner’s contact with her son."The Central government recounted that after he was sent to Ukraine, Majothi is said to have surrendered voluntarily before the Ukrainian forces. The Court directed the government to appoint a liaison officer to liaise with the Ukrainian government in the case."Ministry of External Affairs is also directed to depute an officer to liaise with the concerned authorities in Ukraine and the Ukraine High Commission, who shall also keep the petitioner apprised as to the efforts and progress achieved as regards the above directions," the order stated..The plea before the Court by Majothi's mother, Hasinaben Majothi, says that her son had gone to Russia's St Petersburg in January 2024 to study Russian literature and culture. She says that he took up a job as a courier in Russia and was framed in a false drug case as part of a ploy to extort money. He was arrested in April 2024. She stated that since the arrest, she lost communication with him and apprehends that he was duped into fighting Russia's war with Ukraine. Notably, news reports suggest that Majothi's capture by the Ukrainian forces marks the first known case of an Indian national being detained for fighting in the Ukraine-Russia war. The High Court will hear the matter next on December 3. .Advocates Robin Raju and Deepa Joseph represented the petitioner, Hasinaben Majothi.Central Government Standing Counsel Nidhi Raman and Government Pleader Arnav Mittal with advocates Akash Mishra and Mayank appeared for the Union of India.[Read order]