Youth stuck in Russia dies

Tribune News Service

Jalandhar, November 30

One of the 26 youths stuck in Russia has died. Malkiat Singh (30) died after he could not handle pressure after he along with others was stuck in Russia, his friend Joginder Pal said.

Joginder has brought Malkiat's body back.

“We had gone to Russia in July to work in a construction company and we were told by our agent that we would get salary. But when we reached there, we got to know that we were on contract and no salary would be given to us and also we will be charged for the food too," he said.

“I was asked by the company to go back. My family is depressed and now they won’t let me go. I had taken loan from some people to go to Russia, and they now want the money back,” he said.

Notably, 26 youths from Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Nawanshahr and Kapurthala were sent to Russia by a travel agent, identified as Daljit Singh, a resident of Khurampur village near Phagwara.

A case has been registered after a complaint was filed by Jarnail Singh, a resident of Mallo Majra village in Nawanshahr. His son Gurpreet Singh (26) is also stuck in Russia. “My son is in depression. He had gone there to earn. I am waiting for his safe return,” he said.

He said the accused made a deal of Rs 1.20 lakh with each youth to send and settle them in Russia.

The police have arrested the accused under Sections 420 and 406 of the IPC and Section 13 of the Punjab Professionals Act, 2014, on charges of duping 26 youths of Rs 32 lakh on the pretext of sending them to Russia.