A 38-year-old man from Raipur who traveled to Russia with dreams of securing a good job and a better livelihood has now found himself trapped in a severe crisis. He had received a job offer for a delivery boy position via Telegram. Hoping to improve his family's financial standing and provide a better future for his wife and children, he decided to travel to Russia in September. However, within days of his arrival, the situation took a dramatic turn. His family alleges that he was framed in a false case and taken into custody. To compound matters, immense pressure is reportedly being exerted on him to enlist in the Russian military. The foreign job opportunity that he relied on has now transformed into his family's biggest nightmare, with his safe return becoming their primary concern.
The Telegram Delivery Agent Job Offer
The youth from Raipur has been identified as Tikeshwar Sahu. His family has appealed to both the Chhattisgarh government and the central government for urgent intervention. Tikeshwar previously worked as a store manager in Raipur. According to his family, he received the delivery agent job offer for Russia through Telegram. He was assured that he would initially be summoned to Russia on a tourist visa, which would later be converted into a work visa. Driven by hopes of a better future, he flew to Russia in September. His plan was to eventually bring his wife, two children, and parents to Russia once he settled into his employment. However, upon reaching there, he was allegedly thrown into jail.
Tikeshwar’s wife, Manorama, submitted a letter on November 4 to Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai and Raipur Police Commissioner Sanjeev Shukla, requesting immediate intervention. The family wants legal assistance for Tikeshwar, proper medical attention for his health, and his safe repatriation to India. Relatives claim that Tikeshwar is not receiving regular medication while in detention in Russia. The family has also accused authorities of subjecting him to physical abuse.
Claims of Being Framed in a False Case
According to his relatives, the last normal conversation with Tikeshwar took place on September 16. A few days later, the family received a handwritten letter sent from a Russian phone number. In the letter, Tikeshwar claimed that he had been falsely implicated in a narcotics-related case. Following this, the family managed to speak with him via a video call lasting about five minutes. This interaction left the relatives deeply distressed. One family member recounted that he was weeping profusely on the phone, stating that he was imprisoned and that pressure was mounting on him to join the Russian military.
Accusations of Forced Military Enlistment and Health Concerns
The family alleges that Tikeshwar is being forced to fight for the Russian military in the ongoing conflict against Ukraine. However, independent confirmation of these allegations and the circumstances surrounding his detention is currently unavailable. Alongside legal aid, Tikeshwar's wife has demanded his safe return home. Another major source of anxiety for the family is his fragile health. Relatives state that Tikeshwar suffers from a thyroid condition and is denied regular medication while in custody.
Legal Efforts and Appeals to Authorities
In a bid to secure his release, the family has appointed a lawyer in Russia. According to relatives, approximately 150,000 rupees have already been spent on legal assistance. On October 22, the lawyer informed the family that Tikeshwar had to be hospitalized after his blood pressure spiked. The family has reached out to both Indian and Russian embassies, sought help from state police headquarters and political leaders, and registered grievances on the Prime Minister's public grievance portal.
Parallels to a Bilaspur Youth Case
This incident bears strong similarities to the case of 21-year-old Vineet Kumar Dubey, a resident of Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh. Vineet had also traveled to Russia on a tourist visa after receiving a job offer via Telegram. Families of both youths allege that the victims were not fully briefed about the true nature of the work before departing from India. A senior official at the Raipur Police Commissionerate told The Indian Express that they have received a complaint regarding Sahu's case and, as per procedure, will forward it to the state home department, which will subsequently transmit it to the Ministry of External Affairs for further action. Meanwhile, Tikeshwar's family awaits updates on his condition and release.
