Goraya man goes to Russia in search of missing brother

Jagdeep Kumar, a small mobile shop owner from Goraya, has again travelled to Russia in a desperate attempt to trace his younger brother Mandeep Kumar, who has been missing for over two years.

Mandeep, who left India in early 2023 in search of employment, last contacted his family on March 3, 2023, and was scared and had told Jagdeep that he was recruited in the Russian army. Since then, there has been complete silence, leaving the family in deep distress and uncertainty.

Jagdeep alleges that Mandeep was lured by a travel agent with promises of work opportunities in Italy. The agent reportedly sent him to Armenia first, from where he was supposed to be taken through Russia, Finland, and Germany to Italy. However, according to Jagdeep, his brother was duped and forcibly inducted into the Russian army shortly after reaching Russia.

“This agent not only lied to my brother but also cheated me of Rs 6 lakh,” said Jagdeep. “He promised a safe passage to Europe, but instead, my brother disappeared in Russia, and we’ve had no word from him since.”

This is not Jagdeep’s first attempt to locate his brother. He had previously travelled to Russia to follow up on leads, and has remained in constant touch with the Indian authorities and other families whose loved ones are similarly stranded or missing in Russia under suspicious circumstances.

Jagdeep’s relentless efforts have now drawn political attention. He recently met MDMK MP Durai Vaiko to raise the issue of missing Indians in Russia. In addition, Congress leader Raja Warring extended his support and held a press conference to bring wider attention to the matter.

Speaking to The Tribune earlier, Jagdeep had shared the emotional toll this ordeal has taken on his family. “Every time I return home, my family looks at me with hope, expecting good news about Mandeep. But I have nothing to tell them.”

The case highlights growing concerns about exploitation of the youth by unscrupulous travel agents. Jagdeep continues to work closely with other families facing similar situations, forming a support network to share updates and seek collective action.

With no clear answers and dwindling leads, the family has also been appealing to the government for urgent intervention.