- MEA confirms Indian man's release in Russia after wife's appeal.
- Chandan Gupta detained by Russian police, wife feared forced recruitment.
- Indian Embassy sought consular access; MEA called it legal matter.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has responded to an Indian woman’s SOS call from Moscow, who alleged that her husband was detained by Russian police and pressured to join the Russian military. MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said it was a legal matter and that the man had now been released.
The response came after Moscow-based Indian national Sneha Gupta issued an urgent public appeal to the Indian government and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath following the arrest of her husband, Chandan Gupta, by Russian authorities.
VIDEO | "It was a legal matter, now he's been released", says MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Indian man being detained by Russian police in Moscow. pic.twitter.com/EMVwz9HNrb
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) September 8, 2026
In an emotional video posted on Instagram, Sneha expressed fears that her husband, an engineer from Kanpur who is living in Russia on a highly qualified worker visa through Indian firm UFlex, could be forcibly recruited into the Russian military amid alleged personnel shortages in the country’s armed forces.
According to NDTV, Chandan Gupta was detained along with a friend for allegedly drinking in public and damaging public property.
However, Sneha alleged that her husband was harassed and taken into custody by Russian police around 12:30 pm during Moscow Day celebrations, despite having committed no wrongdoing. Unable to speak or understand Russian, she said she was deeply distressed by her inability to navigate the local legal system or confirm his whereabouts. Alongside her 10-year-old son, she made an emotional appeal for immediate diplomatic intervention and public assistance.
Recommended For You
View this post on Instagram
The Indian Mission in Moscow also responded, saying it had seen a social media post by an Indian national regarding her husband.
“We are in touch with her and the local authorities in the matter. As per law enforcement authorities, it is a legal matter and they are looking into it. The Embassy has also sought consular access,” the mission said on X.
You may also like to watch
As of now, Russian officials have not issued an official response regarding Gupta’s current legal status or well-being.
