Delhi High Court Urges Centre To Act Swiftly To Bring Back Indian Student Held In Ukraine

A photo of the Delhi High Court (PTI)

A young Indian student held in Ukraine has prompted the Delhi High Court to direct the central government to take immediate action for his safe return.

The student, 22-year-old Sahil Mahmad Husen Majothi from Gujarat, travelled in January 2024 to Russia’s ITMO University in St. Petersburg for a Russian-language course on a study visa. According to his mother, he later moved to Moscow and worked part-time with a courier firm. He was arrested in April 2024 on what his family says were false drug charges, and he allegedly faced a seven-year prison sentence. In desperation, he is alleged to have joined the Russian Armed Forces under duress and was captured by Ukrainian forces.

During Monday’s hearing, Justice Sachin Datta told government counsel: “Please take all steps to bring him back,” emphasising the urgency of diplomatic intervention. The Court directed the Centre to assign a liaison officer to coordinate with Ukrainian authorities and sought a report within four weeks. The case will return to court on 3 December.

In her petition, Sahil’s mother, Hasinaben Samsudinbhai Majothi, said that after her son’s arrest, she lost contact and only discovered his condition when videos surfaced in which he claimed to have been forced into the conflict zone.

The case has shed light on the complex plight of Indian nationals caught in conflict zones abroad and has reignited calls for more robust consular support and evacuation mechanisms by the government.

With inputs from agencies