Family of Punjab man held in Russia on murder charges seeks his safe return

Phagwara: The family of Punjab resident Varinder Singh, who was reportedly arrested in Russia, has sought the help of former BJP Rajya Sabha MP Avinash Rai Khanna to secure his release from Russian custody.

Sukhdev Singh, father of Varinder, met Khanna and shared the ordeal of his son's arrest, requesting him to ensure his safe return to India. According to Sukhdev , about eight years ago, Varinder connected with a Russian woman through social media, and the two eventually married. She even came to India to live with Varinder.

The couple left for Russia in July, but on reaching there, the Russian woman informed the family that Varinder had been arrested by Russian authorities on murder charge.

Distressed by the situation, Sukhdev pleaded for Khanna's intervention to ensure his son's release and safe return home.

After hearing the family's plight, Khanna assured them that the Indian government was committed to helping its citizens abroad. He highlighted India’s strong diplomatic relations with Russia under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s foreign policy and promised to bring the matter to the attention of the Ministry of External Affairs to expedite Varinder Singh’s release and return.