Raipur Man Detained in Russia on Fabricated Charges as Family Appeals for Help
A 38-year-old store manager from Raipur who travelled to Russia seeking employment has been detained in prison on fabricated narcotics charges.
Sahu sought overseas work to build financial stability for his spouse, two children and elderly parents. Shortly after arriving overseas, Sahu informed his relatives that authorities had jailed him and were pressuring him to join the Russian Army. Relatives reported that recruiters promised Sahu a lucrative post and claimed his tourist visa would be converted into a work permit.
Travel Timeline and Detention Circumstances
Sahu departed Raipur for Delhi on September 7 before travelling to Moscow and taking a domestic flight to Volgograd. Upon arrival, the individual who promised him employment handed him 5,000 Russian rubles before directing him into detention. Family members last shared a normal telephone conversation with Sahu on September 16 before his device was abruptly switched off. Several days later, the family received a mobile photograph of a handwritten letter sent from a Russian telephone number. During a brief five-minute video call permitted by captors, a weeping Sahu stated that officials were pressuring him into military service.
State Petitions and Diplomatic Appeals
On November 4, Sahu's wife Manorama submitted formal petitions to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai seeking government intervention. Manorama also addressed Raipur Commissioner of Police Sanjeev Shukla, requesting legal representation, medical care, and safe diplomatic repatriation. A senior official from the Raipur Police Commissionerate stated that authorities received the complaint for transfer to external affairs officials. The police official explained that the complaint would proceed to the state home department before reaching the Ministry of External Affairs. The situation mirrors the case of 21-year-old Vineet Kumar Dubey from Bilaspur, who travelled to Russia on September 29. The Ministry of External Affairs successfully secured the release and repatriation of 139 Indian citizens from the Russian army by July 2026, according to Republic World.
Health Deterioration and Legal Efforts
Relatives expressed deep distress regarding Sahu's health because he suffers from a chronic thyroid condition requiring daily pharmaceutical treatment. Family members alleged that Russian custodial personnel withheld necessary medicines and subjected the detained Indian worker to physical assault. To secure legal defense, the family retained an attorney in Russia and spent Rs 1.5 lakh (1.5 lakh rupees) on professional fees. On October 22, the retained defense lawyer notified the family that Sahu was admitted to a hospital following a blood pressure spike. The family approached the state police headquarters in Naya Raipur, political leaders, and the Prime Minister grievance portal for assistance.
Background
The MEA formally demanded that Russian authorities implement a verified stop to any further recruitment of Indian citizens into the Russian military, according to South First.