 "CBI unearths nexus of human traffickers who transported defenseless Indian youth to Russia-Ukraine conflict zone")
A significant human trafficking network that transported young Indians to the Russia-Ukraine conflict zone while posing as employers overseas was busted by the Central Bureau of Investigation on Thursday, according to officials.
Reacting to this, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on Friday that India has strongly taken up the matter with the Russian government for the early discharge of such Indian nationals.
“Strong action has been initiated against agents and unscrupulous elements who recruited them on false pretexts and promises. The CBI yesterday busted a major human trafficking network conducting searches in several cities and collecting incriminating evidence. A case of human trafficking has been registered against several agents,” he said.
Jaiswal also appealed to Indian nationals to not be swayed by offers made by agents for support jobs with the Russian Army. “This is fraught with danger and risk to life. We remain committed to the early release of our nationals serving as support staff with the Russian Army and their eventual return home,” he said.
As per the officials, the organisation has discovered 35 cases where young people were abducted to Russia after being lured by deceptive claims of well-paying jobs through social media platforms, local contacts, and agents.
The officials stated that efforts are being made to identify the victims.
A CBI spokesperson said in a statement released here that the trafficked Indian nationals were placed in danger for their lives because they were trained for combat roles and sent against their will to various front bases in the Russia-Ukraine war zone.
The federal agency has registered an FIR against some visa consultancy firms and agents. It was followed by searches in 13 locations across Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, Mumbai, Ambala, Chandigarh, Madurai and Chennai.
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More Shorts“The human trafficking network of these agents is spread over several states across the country and they are operating in an organised manner,” the spokesperson said.
The central probe agency has booked 24x7 RAS Overseas Foundation in Delhi and its director Suyash Mukut, O S D Bros Travels & Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Mumbai and its director Rakesh Pandey, Adventure Visa Services Pvt Ltd in Chandigarh and its director Manjeet Singh, and Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd in Dubai and its director Faisal Abdul Mutalib Khan alias Baba.
“It has been ascertained that some of the victims also suffered grievous injuries in the war zone,” the official said.
“So far, cash worth over Rs 50 lakh, incriminating documents and electronic records like laptops, mobiles, desktops and CCTV footage have been seized. Searches are going on. Certain suspects have also been detained for questioning at various locations,” he added.
With inputs from PTI
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