A day after it emerged that a Hyderabad man duped into joining Russia's war against Ukraine has been killed, the CBI on Thursday busted a ring involved in trafficking Indians to the country, officials said.
Nearly two dozen Indians are believed to have been forced into fighting Russia's war after being tricked into going to the country on the pretext of getting high-paying jobs.
The investigation agency registered a case and began carrying out raids at over 10 locations in seven cities associated with the agents and firms involved in the trafficking. The raids are being conducted in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Thiruvananthapuram, Ambala, Chandigarh and Madurai, and some suspects have been detained for questioning.
During the raids, it has emerged that the number of Indians sent by these firms to Russia and Ukraine is 35. "It is not clear whether all of them have been forced to take part in the war," said an official.
The CBI's case also names Dubai-based Faisal Khan alias Baba, who runs the YouTube channel Baba Vlogs. Khan's name has cropped up repeatedly in NDTV's conversations with families whose sons were taken to Russia and then forced into the country's war effort after being promised jobs as security guards or labourers, but with high wages.
Apart from Khan's firm, Baba Vlogs Overseas Recruitment Solutions Pvt Ltd, three other companies have been named - one each from Mumbai, Delhi and Chandigarh. The directors of the companies are also accused in the case but it is not yet clear whether they or their companies were working with Khan or operating independently.
Officials said incriminating documents, electronic devices like desktops, laptops and phones, and Rs 50 lakh in cash have been seized in the raids.
Ammunition From India Diverted To Ukraine? What Government Said UP Official Shares Suicide Note, Shoots Self After CBI Raids Post Office Rs 3.8 Crore Cash Seized As CBI Raids Madhya Pradesh Coal Mining Officials Russia's Firing Of ICBM On Ukraine Is Weapon's 1st Combat Use In History Amazon Employee Greets Friend At Wedding, Dies Of Cardiac Arrest This Asian City Is Emerging As Sex Tourism Hub. It's Not Where You Think North Korea's Kim Accuses US Of Escalating Tensions, Warns Of Nuclear War NDMC Launches 'Night Cleaning Drive' Amid Delhi's 'Very Poor' Air Quality Israel Strikes Kill 52 In Lebanon As Hezbollah Targets South Israel Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.