In response to accusations that several Indians were tricked into going to Russia with the promise of well-paying jobs before being enlisted in the Russian Army to fight in the Ukraine war, the authorities moved quickly.
On Thursday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI carried out searches in more than a dozen locations throughout India.
The issue has been raised with the Russian government, according to a statement released by the Ministry of External Affairs on Friday.
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The news was released just one day after Mohammed Afsan, 30, was officially declared dead by the Indian Embassy in Moscow.
Afsan passed away a few weeks after a Ukrainian airstrike claimed the life of a 23-year-old Indian “assistant” in the Russian Army.
It also coincides with the allegations made by around a dozen Indians that they were tricked into joining the Russian military.
However, what took place? What has been discovered by the CBI through its raids?
The agency reportedly conducted raids in Delhi, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Chennai, according to Indian Express.
The agency is investigating the involvement of two Russian-based operatives, Christina and Moinuddin Chippa, in the scheme.
Indian youth were being trafficked to Russia by Christina and Moinuddin, who were providing them with high-paying jobs.
Students were tricked into attending questionable private institutions in Russia rather than government or public ones by proposing reduced tuition and extended visas. After that, they were left “at the mercy” of local agents.
The operatives in Russia confiscated these candidates’ passports as soon as they arrived.
After receiving combat role training, they were then compelled to enlist in the military.
In its FIR, the central inquiry agency named 17 additional visa consulting firms, along with their owners and representatives located all throughout India.
They have been charged by the agency under sections of the Indian Penal Code that deal with fraud, human trafficking, and criminal conspiracy.
“They were being trained in combat roles and provided with Russian Army uniforms and batches. Thereafter, these Indian Nationals are being deployed at front bases in the Russia-Ukraine War Zone against their wishes and put their lives in grave danger,” the CBI FIR stated.
According to reports, at least 180 people—mostly on student visas—have been deported to Russia.
The team is investigating embassy staff members, a newspaper source revealed.
According to officials, the CBI has discovered 35 cases where young Indians were taken to Russia after being duped by deceptive claims of well-paying professions through social media platforms, local contacts, and agents.
“The human trafficking network of these agents is spread over several states across the country and they are operating in an organised manner,” a spokesperson told the media.
The CBI has made reservations with the following organizations: Adventure Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Chandigarh and its director Manjeet Singh; OSD Bros Travels and Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Mumbai and its director Rakesh Pandey; and Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd in Dubai and its director Faisal Abdul Mutalib Khan, alias Baba. The reservations were made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Additional people on the booking list included Srividhya, a resident of Chennai, Chenna, Sufiyan Dawood Ahmad Darugar and his wife Pooka from Palghar, Santhosh, a citizen of Russia, Ramesh Kumar, a resident of Tamil Nadu, Tommy, Robo, and Job from Kerala, among others.
