New Delhi, April 10 -- The Supreme Court sought a response from the central government and the Ministry of External Affairs, along with India's ambassador to Russia and other respondent parties over a plea filed by families of 26 Indian citizens who were allegedly sent to Russia to fight the ongoing Russia-Ukraine armed conflict on the wrongful pretext of employment/education opportunities.

According to news agency ANI, the plea primarily seeks directions to the Indian authorities to take urgent diplomatic and consular steps to ascertain the whereabouts, legal status and safety of the detainees and to ensure repatriation.

"Despite such repeated representations and requests for assistance, the families continue to remain without any veri...