Indian man forced to join army after being lured to Russia with job promise

According to a News18 report, a serious case of fraud in the name of employment in Russia has emerged involving 38-year-old Tikeshwar Sahu from Raipur. Family members stated that Tikeshwar received a job offer on Telegram, which promised him work as a delivery agent. The offer also stated that he would initially travel on a tourist visa, which would later be converted into a work visa. Hoping to improve his family's future, Tikeshwar reached Russia in September, but what happened to him within days of arriving was beyond imagination.

According to a report by The Indian Express, after reaching Russia, Tikeshwar was framed in a false case and thrown into jail. Family members said that they last had a normal conversation with Tikeshwar on 16 September. Subsequently, they received a handwritten letter from a Russian number, in which Tikeshwar claimed that he had been framed in a false drug case. After this letter, when he spoke to the family on a five-minute video call, Tikeshwar was crying profusely. He told the family that he was in jail and was being constantly pressured to join the Russian army to fight in the Russia-Ukraine war.

The family's anxiety increased when they learned that Tikeshwar had been beaten in jail. Furthermore, Tikeshwar suffers from thyroid disease and is not receiving regular medication in jail. The family has appointed a lawyer in Russia and has spent approximately ₹1.5 lakh on legal fees so far. On 22 October, the lawyer informed the family that Tikeshwar had been admitted to the hospital due to high blood pressure. In this situation, the family has become extremely helpless.

Tikeshwar's wife, Manorama, wrote a letter to Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Raipur Police Commissioner Sanjeev Shukla on 4 November, pleading for help. She has demanded that the government intervene for Tikeshwar's safe return, legal assistance, and medical treatment. Additionally, the family has also lodged complaints with the Indian and Russian embassies, the state police headquarters, and the Prime Minister's grievance portal. A senior official of the Raipur Police Commissionerate stated that they have received the complaint and, as per procedure, it will be sent to the state Home Department, which will then forward it to the Ministry of External Affairs for further action.

This case is similar to that of 21-year-old Vineet Kumar Dubey from Bilaspur, who also went to Russia on a tourist visa due to a job offer received on Telegram. Both families allege that before going to Russia, their kin were not given any clear information about the nature of the work. Tikeshwar previously worked as a store manager in Raipur and had hoped that he would settle in Russia and bring his wife, two children, and parents there as well. Currently, the family is waiting for any news regarding Tikeshwar's condition and his release.

Russia is the world's largest country located in Eurasia, with Moscow as its capital. Known as the Russian Federation, this country has long been known for various economic and military activities. In recent years, due to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, there have been global discussions regarding the security and employment situation in the region.