Supreme Court Directs Government to Assist Families Affected by Russia-Ukraine Conflict
The Supreme Court has mandated the Indian government to appoint a nodal officer to assist families impacted by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This officer will coordinate with families of those killed, missing, or injured, ensuring they receive necessary support and information in local languages. The court has also directed the Ministry of External Affairs to facilitate compensation claims and provide legal assistance to affected families. This comes in response to petitions from families of individuals who were recruited to fight and subsequently went missing or died. The court emphasized that the processing of claims should not delay the return of bodies or last rites.
Jul 31, 2026, 15:51 IST
Supreme Court's Directive to the Government
The Supreme Court instructed the central government on Friday to appoint a nodal officer within the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). This officer will be responsible for coordinating with the families of individuals who were killed, missing, or injured during the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Additionally, the court urged the MEA to provide information to the families of those affected in local languages. The hearing was conducted by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana. The bench also requested the MEA to facilitate DNA matching of the deceased or their remains with family members.
Support for Compensation Claims
The Supreme Court further directed the MEA to assist affected families with their compensation claims. It instructed the MEA to help these families file claims in front of the Russian embassy and ensure that all necessary information and updates are provided in local languages. Moreover, the court called upon the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) and state legal service authorities to aid families in retrieving the remains of their relatives and advancing the compensation claims process. These directives came during the hearing of a petition filed by family members of individuals who allegedly died or went missing after being recruited to fight in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Compensation Claims Process Clarified
The Supreme Court clarified that while compensation claims will be processed through the MEA, this should not delay the return of bodies or the conduct of last rites. Additionally, the court instructed the secretaries of state legal service authorities to provide free legal assistance to affected families for filing compensation claims and DNA testing. Meanwhile, the MEA was also asked to provide translated versions of documents received from Russian authorities related to the return of bodies and compensation claims. The court noted that in 2024 and 2025, many Indian youths traveled to Russia on various visas with promises of jobs in construction, hospitality, and service sectors. However, upon arrival, their passports and identification documents were confiscated, and they were conscripted into the Russian military, subsequently being sent to conflict zones.