Archive · 7 Sep 2026
Indian Engineer Detained in Moscow as Embassy Seeks Access
Indian engineer Chandan Gupta was reportedly detained by police in Moscow.
His wife, Sneha Gupta, asked Indian authorities to help him.
She said he had done nothing wrong and claimed he was being pressured to join the Russian Army.
A government source gave a different explanation for the detention.
It said Gupta and another Indian man, Ashish, were accused of being drunk and breaking an ambulance window.
The reports give slightly different times for when the detention happened.
The Indian Embassy is speaking with Gupta’s wife and Russian officials.
It has asked to meet Gupta through consular access.
The allegation about forced military recruitment has not been independently confirmed.
The Indian Embassy said it was in contact with Chandan Gupta’s wife and Russian authorities over his reported detention.
A government source said Gupta and another Indian national, Ashish, were detained in Moscow on alleged drunkenness and ambulance-glass damage charges.
Reports differ on the timing, placing the detention at about 11:30 p.m. on September 5 or 12:30 a.m. on September 6.
Sneha Gupta said her husband had done nothing wrong and alleged he was being pressured to join the Russian armed forces.
The embassy said Russian authorities considered the matter legal and confirmed it had sought consular access; the recruitment allegation has not been independently verified.
- Who
- Indian engineer Chandan Gupta and another Indian national, Ashish, were reportedly detained; Gupta’s wife, Sneha Gupta, sought help from Indian authorities and the Indian Embassy.
- What
- Gupta was reportedly detained in Moscow amid conflicting accounts: authorities cited alleged drunkenness and damage to an ambulance, while his wife alleged wrongful detention and pressure to join the Russian armed forces.
- When
- Reports place the detention around 11:30 p.m. on September 5 or 12:30 a.m. on September 6; the embassy addressed the matter on September 6.
- Where
- The reported detention occurred at the Red Square premises in Moscow, and Gupta was said to be held at Baumanskaya police station.
- Why
- A government source cited alleged drunkenness and broken ambulance glass; Gupta’s wife disputed that account and alleged pressure to enlist in the Russian armed forces.
Wife’s Allegations
Authorities’ Account
Reason for detention
Wife’s Allegations
Sneha Gupta said police took her husband despite his having done nothing wrong and asked Indian authorities to secure his release.
Authorities’ Account
A government source said Chandan Gupta and Ashish were detained over alleged drunkenness and damage to an ambulance window.
Possible military recruitment
Wife’s Allegations
Gupta alleged that her husband was being pressured to join the Russian armed forces and that foreigners could be taken away without knowing where they would go.
Authorities’ Account
The embassy said Russian authorities described the matter as a legal case; the recruitment allegation was not reflected in the government’s account and could not be independently verified.
- Reported detainee
- Chandan Gupta, an engineer employed by UFlex POLIFILM Group
- Other reported detainee
- Indian national Ashish
- Reported detention location
- Red Square premises, Moscow
- Reported holding location
- Baumanskaya police station
- Authorities’ account
- The men were allegedly detained for drunkenness and breaking the glass of a nearby ambulance
- Wife’s allegation
- Sneha Gupta said Chandan was wrongfully detained and pressured to join the Russian armed forces
- Embassy response
- The embassy said it was in contact with Gupta’s wife and local authorities and had sought consular access
- Broader government figures
- India’s Ministry of External Affairs said 227 Indian nationals had been recruited into the Russian armed forces, with 139 discharged and 51 reported dead
