World · Europe · 6 hrs ago
Raipur Family Says Man Detained in Russia Is Being Pressured to Join Army
Tikeshwar Sahu’s family says he is detained in Russia and being pressured to join the Russian Army.
Sahu, 38, travelled from Raipur to Russia in September after receiving a job offer, his family says.
They say he travelled on a tourist visa after being told it could later be changed to a work visa.
His wife says he was arrested in Volgograd in a narcotics case that the family believes is false, and that he was threatened with a long prison term.
The family says he was urged to join the army to fight in Russia’s war with Ukraine.
This is the second such case reported in Chhattisgarh, after a 21-year-old man from Bilaspur district was allegedly detained and tortured to make him join the war.
Chhattisgarh police and the State Home Department have been informed, and police say they are looking into the matter.
The family of Tikeshwar Sahu, a 38-year-old man from Raipur, says he has been detained in Russia in a drug case they believe is false.
They allege he is being pressured to join the Russian Army and threatened with a long prison term.
Sahu travelled to Russia on September 8, 2026, for a job, and his family lost contact with him after September 16.
His family has asked Chhattisgarh authorities to intervene and help secure his release and return to India.
A senior police official said authorities were looking into the matter.
- Who
- Tikeshwar Sahu, 38, from Raipur. His family says he is detained in Russia.
- What
- His family alleges he was implicated in a false drug case and pressured to join the Russian Army.
- When
- He travelled to Russia on September 8, 2026. His family lost contact with him after September 16.
- Where
- Volgograd, Russia.
- Why
- His family says he went there for a job after receiving an offer from an employer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Tikeshwar Sahu travelled to Russia on a tourist visa.
Sahu reached Volgograd and regularly spoke with his family by video call.
His family says he stopped contacting them.
Sahu called his family, crying, and said he had been implicated in a false drug-trafficking case.
A lawyer finally met Sahu, and the family learnt that his health had deteriorated.
His family’s allegations and request for government assistance were reported.
- Name
- Tikeshwar Sahu
- Age
- 38
- Destination
- Volgograd, Russia
- Travel date
- September 8, 2026
- Family contact stopped
- After September 16
- Alleged prison term
- 15 to 20 years
What people are saying
Our family has no information suggesting that he was involved in any drug-related activity. We have serious doubts about the circumstances of his arrest and the fairness of the case,
He had informed the family that he received a job offer in Russia, and the employer assured him that all arrangements for his travel would be made. He travelled on a tourist visa as the employer had promised to convert it into a work visa later,