Ashish Singh left India on June 8 on a work visa after securing overseas employment through an agent.
According to the family’s representation to the Ministry of External Affairs and the Indian Embassy, Ashish travelled to Belarus on June 8 and initially worked on a farm in Dubina. “During another call on October 21, he reportedly told family members that deployment could take place within six to seven days.
The family has also approached the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Kirtivardhan Singh who, according to relatives, has assured them of support. Every passing day increases the risk to his life,” said his sister, Sukhmani Singh, an advocate practising at the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court told TOI. He also complained of inadequate food, said he was surviving largely on bread and biscuits, and expressed concern that his diabetes was not receiving adequate medical attention,” Sukhmani told TOI. In a written communication to the family, the Indian Embassy in Moscow said it had requested Ashish’s release from the Russian Army and would provide updates once it received a response from Russian authorities.
The Indian Embassy in Moscow has formally taken up the matter with the Russian Ministry of Defence and sought Ashish’s release. “My brother is terrified and desperate to return home.
“He is my only son and we are worried about his whereabouts and want him to return to India soon,” said Rajendra Singh, businessman and father of Ashish Singh. With no resolution yet, the family has urged the government to trace Ashish, prevent any frontline deployment, secure his release and ensure his safe return to India.