Supreme Court Urges MEA to Assist Families of Indians Lost in Russia-Ukraine Conflict
Supreme Court's Directive on Compensation for Affected Families
A file image of the Supreme Court (Photo: @IANS)
New Delhi, Oct 14: On Wednesday, the Supreme Court instructed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to contemplate issuing a public notice that would invite families of Indians who perished in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to apply for assistance and compensation.
This directive followed the MEA's report to a bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi, indicating that 51 Indians who had enlisted in the Russian military had lost their lives, while 77 others remained unaccounted for.
The Indian embassy in Russia is actively investigating the status of the 77 recruits, including seven confirmed as missing by Russian officials.
The bench acknowledged the MEA's update that officials were reaching out to the affected families individually and anticipated that the authorities would aid in processing their compensation claims.
It also recognized the difficulties in obtaining compensation from Russia, including delays related to DNA identification and the repatriation of remains.
During the proceedings, Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati represented the Centre, informing the court that the Russian government had addressed six compensation claims, with five fully settled and one partially resolved.
The bench remarked that the right to seek compensation applies to the families of all 51 Indians who lost their lives in the conflict.
Furthermore, it instructed the District Legal Services Authorities in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, and Himachal Pradesh to adhere to its previous order, which mandated free legal assistance for the affected families.
This support is aimed at facilitating the submission of compensation claims, DNA testing, and other essential legal and administrative processes.
Bhati informed the court that around 267 Indians had joined the Russian armed forces, with 51 fatalities and 139 individuals discharged from service.
“In the end, our diplomatic and consular efforts will be beneficial,” Bhati stated, noting that Russian authorities had been cooperative and that the Centre would persist in its efforts to streamline the process.
On July 31, the Supreme Court had previously ordered the Centre to designate a nodal officer within the MEA to coordinate with families of Indians who had died, gone missing, or sustained injuries during the Russia-Ukraine conflict.