Captive youth warns students against Russian education scams and fraud.
A distressing video has surfaced showing an Indian student, currently held in Ukrainian captivity, pleading for urgent government intervention. Indian student Sahil Majothi, a 23-year-old native of Morbi, Gujarat, has sent an emotional appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to facilitate his return home.
Sahil’s ordeal began when he traveled to St. Petersburg in January 2024 on a student visa to study the Russian language. According to his video statement, his life took a tragic turn when he was allegedly framed in a narcotics case. While in a Russian prison, he claims authorities misled him into signing a military contract as a way to escape jail time. This decision forced him onto the battlefield, where he was eventually captured by Ukrainian forces.
In the video, released by a Ukrainian government project called "I Want to Live," Sahil looks visibly shaken. He specifically references Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to India in early December, suggesting the clip is recent. He urges the Indian leadership to discuss his repatriation with President Putin.
Beyond his plea for help, Sahil issued a stern warning to other Indian nationals planning to visit Russia for work or education. He cautioned them about rampant scams in the region, stating that innocent students are often trapped in false criminal or drug cases. "Be careful against scammers," he advised, urging fellow Indians to stay away to avoid meeting a similar fate.
Back in India, his family is fighting a desperate legal battle. His mother, Hasinaben Majothi, who is currently battling cancer, received the videos directly from Ukrainian authorities on Sunday. She revealed that the Ukrainian government is willing to hand Sahil over, provided the Indian government steps in.
Hasinaben has already moved the Delhi High Court, stating her son was framed to extort money. The Court has directed the Centre to appoint a liaison officer to establish contact with Ukrainian officials. As the family awaits the next hearing in February, their hope rests entirely on diplomatic intervention to bring Indian student Sahil Majothi back to safety.
