MOSCOW, Sep 8 : An Indian woman has alleged that Russian police detained her husband in Moscow and pressured him to join the Russian armed forces, prompting the Indian Embassy to seek consular access to him.
Sneha Gupta, who describes herself as an advocate on Instagram, made the allegations in a video appeal posted on September 6. She identified her husband as Chandan Gupta, an engineer from Kanpur, and said the couple was living in Moscow while he worked for a Noida-based company on a “highly qualified specialist” visa.
Gupta alleged that Russian police took her husband into custody around 12:30 am on Sunday and continued to hold him despite him having committed no wrongdoing.
She further claimed that he was being pressured while in detention to join the Russian armed forces, alleging that manpower shortages in the Russian military had prompted efforts to recruit foreign nationals.
The allegations could not be independently verified.
In her appeal, Gupta said the couple has a 10-year-old son and expressed concern over her inability to speak the local language and uncertainty about how to handle the situation.
She appealed to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and the Indian Government to intervene and ensure her husband’s release and safe return to India.
The Indian Embassy in Russia said on September 6 that it was in contact with Gupta and local authorities.
“We have seen a social media post by an Indian national regarding her husband. We are in touch with her and the local authorities in the matter. As per law enforcement authorities, it is a legal matter and they are looking into it. The Embassy has also sought consular access,” the embassy said in a post on X.
The development comes amid India’s ongoing efforts to secure the discharge and return of its nationals recruited into the Russian armed forces.
Last week, the Ministry of External Affairs said 227 Indian nationals had been recruited into the Russian armed forces. Of these, 139 had been discharged and 51 had died, while efforts were continuing with Russia for the early discharge and return of the remaining Indians.
