Updated on: Nov 09, 2025

A Tamil Nadu-based doctor, Dr. K. Jagadeeswaran, was reportedly detained and allegedly tortured in Russia in September, prompting his wife to appeal to the Indian central and state governments for urgent intervention to bring him safely back home. Though Dr. Jagadeeswaran has now been released from custody, he remains unable to return to India due to missing travel documents, according to his wife.

The doctor, who has been living in Armenia since 2022 following his completion of a medical degree there, was in Russia accompanying a friend who runs an educational consultancy. The friend requested his assistance because Jagadeeswaran is fluent in Russian. The couple had recently visited India in August and had planned the Russia trip from Chennai on September 15.

According to his wife, the trouble began upon arrival at Sochi airport, where both Jagadeeswaran and his friend were taken for interrogation by immigration authorities. While his friend, Shekhar Manikandan, was released and deported back to India within a week, Dr. Jagadeeswaran was detained, with officials alleging that he did not cooperate during the interrogation—a claim his wife strongly denied.

Jagadeeswaran’s detention reportedly involved harassment and humiliation, with his wife alleging that he was deprived of proper food, causing his health to deteriorate. She stated that his blood sugar levels dropped significantly, putting him at serious risk. Following the detention, the family hired a lawyer in Sochi, after which he was released and returned his passport. However, the Russian authorities withheld other essential travel documents, preventing him from traveling to Moscow to access the Indian Embassy for assistance in returning to India.

“We approached the Ministry of External Affairs in Delhi, but it has not yielded any results so far. The Indian Embassy in Moscow informed us that he should reach Moscow from Sochi for safe return, but due to the lack of proper documents, he is unable to do so,” Jagadeeswaran’s wife told PTI. She further explained that she had also lodged a complaint with the BJP Tamil Nadu office to seek additional support.

The couple has been living in Armenia since their marriage, with Dr. Jagadeeswaran employed at a local hospital. “It has been three years since our marriage. We had just wanted to visit our families in Tamil Nadu,” his wife said. The trip to Russia was intended as a short visit to assist his friend while on a tourist visa, leveraging Jagadeeswaran’s fluency in Russian.

The incident has raised concerns about the treatment of Indian citizens abroad and the challenges faced in navigating foreign immigration and legal systems. Authorities in Tamil Nadu and the Centre are now being urged to intervene and ensure that Dr. Jagadeeswaran can safely return home without further bureaucratic or logistical hurdles.

The doctor’s wife expressed her deep worry over his current condition and the lack of immediate recourse. “He was harassed and humiliated by the authorities. His health condition deteriorated while in detention. The situation is alarming, and we are seeking help from all possible avenues to ensure he returns safely,” she said.

The family has emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that while he is technically out of official custody, the lack of necessary documents and the distance from the Indian Embassy in Moscow continue to prevent his return. They are relying on both legal representation in Russia and diplomatic intervention from India to resolve the issue.

This case has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities faced by Indians traveling abroad, especially when detained or subjected to foreign legal processes. Experts point out that timely consular support, coordination with local authorities, and efficient legal representation are crucial in such scenarios to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of the citizen involved.

The Tamil Nadu authorities, along with the Ministry of External Affairs, are being called upon to prioritize his safe return and ensure that the issues concerning travel documents and health concerns are addressed immediately.