The Central Bureau of Investigation is investigating two Russia-based agents suspected to be involved in a racket trafficking Indian youths to fight in the Ukraine war. The accused persons are said to be operating from Russia.
Officials said the agents allegedly confiscated the passports of Indians on arrival in Russia and forced them to join the armed forces. The network was busted on March 7. The two agents under the scanner are Christina and Moinuddin Chippa, residents of Rajasthan who are currently based in Russia.
It is alleged they facilitated the trafficking of youth by falsely promising lucrative jobs. The agency’s FIR names 17 other visa consultancy firms and agents across India. The CBI has booked the accused under charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and human trafficking.
The probe finds the network trafficked nationals to Russia on the pretext of jobs in the Russian army, security services, etc. Large sums were allegedly charged illegally. Sources said students were also misled with bogus university admissions instead of public institutions in Russia.
Once in Russia, victims’ passports were seized, and they were forced into combat training, after which they were deployed at Ukrainian war fronts against their will, putting lives at risk, according to the CBI.
The agency busted the racket on March 7, with 35 cases found of youths trafficked via social media and local agents with false job guarantees. Searches were conducted across 13 locations in several cities.
Officials said the sprawling network sources youths from many states and operates systematically. The CBI investigation continues as it looks into the full scope of the cross-border trafficking operation and brings perpetrators to justice.
