Kanpur engineer detained in Moscow; embassy seeks consular access

Lucknow: Soon after a Kanpur-based engineer working in Moscow was reportedly detained by Russian police, prompting his wife to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath for his release and safe return to India, the Indian Embassy in Russia sought consular access. Chandan Gupta, 40, had travelled to Russia with his family on a work visa and is working with a Noida-based Indian company. His wife, Sneha, has released a video seeking govt intervention, claiming that Russian police took her husband away from their residence late Sunday. Taking note of Sneha's video, the Indian Embassy posted on X: 'We have 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 embassy issued the statement soon after Chandan's wife expressed fears that he could be pressured into joining the Russian military. 'I am afraid that my husband may be sent to the Russian Army forcibly,' she said, appealing to the authorities to ensure his safety. There is no independent confirmation so far that Chandan has been recruited or is being sent to the Russian military. Sneha said she is currently in Moscow with their 10-year-old child and is finding it difficult to understand and navigate the situation as she does not speak Russian. In her video appeal of a little over one minute, Sneha claimed Russian police arrived at around 12.30 am and took Chandan with them. She claimed that she was subsequently informed that her husband had been kept in custody. According to her, Chandan had not committed any act that warranted his detention, and she has not been given adequate information about the circumstances surrounding his arrest. However, reports reaching India said Chandan was detained along with a friend, Ashish, around 11.30 pm (local time) on Sept 5 from Moscow's Red Square premises on charges of drunkenness and allegedly breaking the glass of a nearby ambulance. 'They are currently detained at the Baumanskaya police station in Moscow. The embassy has raised the matter with the local authorities and requested their release. Meanwhile, consular access has also been sought,' sources said. According to her, officials have told her that Chandan would be released, but she said she has not received a concrete update about when or under what circumstances he would be set free. You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in Lucknow Stay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.