In a shocking revelation, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has found that various agents, including three based in Russia, allegedly duped Indian students on the pretext of getting them admitted to dubious private universities in Russia. However, after reaching Russia, the passports of these Indians were seized, and they were forced to fight in the Ukraine war against their will, according to the CBI’s probe.
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The findings emerged after the CBI searched around 15 locations across seven Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram and Chennai – on Thursday. One Delhi-based agency alone is accused of sending around 180 people, mostly on student visas, to Russia under questionable circumstances.
Human Trafficking Racket Exposed
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In its FIR lodged on March 6th, the CBI stated that the agents/traffickers were duping Indians with offers of discounted fees and visa extensions for admission to lesser-known private Russian universities, not public institutions.
“On reaching Russia, passports of these Indian nationals were taken/snatched by agents…They were being trained in combat roles and provided with Russian army uniforms and batches. Later, these Indian nationals…were being deployed at front bases in Russia-Ukraine war zone against their wishes,” the FIR stated.
The CBI claimed some trafficking victims were also grievously injured in the war zone. Last week, India’s foreign ministry said around 20 Indians working as support staff with the Russian Army had contacted authorities seeking assistance.
Network of Agents Across India
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The FIR named over 15 individuals and agencies allegedly involved in the human trafficking racket spanning multiple Indian states. It alleged they lured Indians through social media with promises of highly paid jobs in Russia.
“The accused persons trafficked Indian nationals to Russia on the pretext of getting jobs related to the Russian Army, security guards, helper, better life, job, education and huge amounts were charged illegally. They are duping them for better employment,” the CBI said.
The agency is now probing the potential involvement of embassy employees and Russian university authorities in facilitating the racket that seems to have put dozens of unsuspecting Indians in grave danger in the war zone.
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