A Delhi court in a recent order denied bail to a man accused of trafficking Indian citizens to Russia to be deployed on the battlefront in the war against Ukraine against their will. A case was filed against a Mumbai resident Micheal Elangovan Anthony for allegedly trafficking Indians to Russia on the pretext of getting them jobs in the Russian army as security guards, helpers and the like in return for money.
According to a PTI report, the delhi court refused Anthony bail observing that the charges against him were serious and he could try to destroy evidence.
Special Judge Atul Krishna Agrawal denied relief to Anthony stating that the allegations against the accused were grave and serious in nature. "Enlarging the applicant on bail at this stage will hamper further investigation of the case. There is also a possibility that he may try to destroy the evidence which are yet to be obtained by the IO (investigating officer). The applicant may also assist the other accused persons in continuing to evade the process of law,” the PTI quoted the judge.
Anthony, who was arrested on April 26, sought bail claiming he was himself was a victim of the racket and falsely implicated in the case.
The CBI has accused him of trafficking Indian nationals to Russia on the pretext of getting them jobs in the Russian army as security guards, helpers in exchange for money.
It is alleged that he deceptively made the victims to sign contract for joining Russian army.
The victims were allegedly trained in combat roles and provided Russian army uniform and badges and were deployed in war zones against their wish, thus putting their in danger. According to CBI, some of them also got greviously injured.
It is alleged that even Indian students were duped with the promise of securing for them admissions to dubious private universities in Russia. They offered them free discounted visa extensions, fee structure, etc. and left at the students at the mercy of visa agents and college authorities.