Supreme Court Directs Centre To Appoint Nodal Officer For Families Of Indians Killed In Russia-Ukraine War
In a crucial intervention regarding Indian nationals caught in the ongoing global conflict, the Supreme Court of India on Friday directed the Central Government to appoint a dedicated nodal officer. This officer will assist the grieving families of Indians who were killed or reported missing in the Russia-Ukraine war. The bench emphasized providing comprehensive support to these families, streamlining the complex procedures involved in bringing back their loved ones, and ensuring they receive due justice and financial assistance.
Apex Court Bench Issues Directive For DNA Matching And Body Retrieval
A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana heard a petition filed by the families of individuals who were allegedly killed or went missing after being recruited into the conflict zone. Many of these victims were reportedly lured and deceived by fraudulent travel agents under false employment promises. To address the plight of these families, the Supreme Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to actively coordinate the retrieval of bodies and facilitate accurate DNA matching between the remains and the victims' family members.
Facilitating Compensation Through The Russian Embassy And Local Language Updates
Recognizing the administrative and linguistic barriers faced by the affected families, the apex court instructed the Ministry of External Affairs to help them file and claim their rightful compensation directly through the Russian Embassy in New Delhi. Furthermore, the court mandated that all necessary information, case updates, and procedural guidelines must be communicated to the families in their respective local languages to ensure absolute transparency and ease of navigation during their difficult times.
NALSA And State Authorities To Provide Legal And Procedural Support
In addition to executive coordination, the Supreme Court issued firm instructions to the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) alongside various state legal services authorities. These bodies have been tasked with extending on-ground legal and administrative assistance to the families, helping them manage the intricate documentation required for body repatriation, legal claims, and compensation processing. This multi-agency directive aims to bring substantial relief to families grappling with tragedy and uncertainty following fraudulent overseas recruitment scams.
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