A Delhi court has refused bail to a man accused of trafficking Indian citizens to Russia for involuntary deployment on the battlefield in the Ukrainian conflict.
The court noted the severity of the charges and the potential for the accused to tamper with evidence.
Judge’s Decision
Special Judge Atul Krishna Agrawal denied relief to Mumbai resident Micheal Elangovan Anthony, who professed innocence.
“The allegations against the accused are grave and serious in nature. Granting bail at this stage could impede further investigation of the case. There is also a risk of evidence destruction that the investigating officer has yet to obtain. The applicant might also aid other accused individuals in evading the legal process,” the judge stated in an order issued on June 7.
The accused had sought bail, asserting he was himself a victim of the racket and falsely implicated. Anthony has been in custody since his arrest on April 26.
Deployment and Deception
As per the CBI, Anthony and his alleged accomplices trafficked Indian nationals to Russia under false pretenses of employment in the Russian army as security guards and helpers in exchange for money. The victims were allegedly deceived into signing contracts to join the Russian army, trained for combat roles, and provided with Russian army uniforms and badges.
The CBI claimed these individuals were then involuntarily deployed to war zones, endangering their lives against their will. Some victims suffered serious injuries.
The alleged racketeers also purportedly deceived Indian students with promises of admission to dubious private universities in Russia. They offered free or discounted visa extensions, misleading fee structures, and left students at the mercy of visa agents and college authorities upon arrival in Russia.
The CBI further alleged that agents confiscated passports of the victims upon their arrival in Russia.
