Indian engineer detained in Moscow over 'drunkenness' charge; Wife appeals to PM Modi and UP CM Adityanath

An Indian engineer working for the Russian subsidiary of a Noida-based company has been detained by Moscow police along with a colleague, with the Indian Embassy saying it has taken up the matter with local authorities and sought consular access.

Chandan Gupta, an employee of Flex Films Rus LLC, and his friend Ashish were detained by Moscow police around 11.30 pm on September 5 at Red Square, according to government sources. The two are currently being held at Baumanskaya police station in Moscow.

Also Read: Air India Express flight from Cochin to Abu Dhabi returns after engine oil quantity drops rapidly


The Embassy said it was in touch with Gupta’s wife, Sneha Gupta, and local authorities over the matter.

“We have seen a social media post by an Indian national regarding her husband. We are in touch with her and the local authorities in the matter. As per law enforcement authorities, it is a legal matter and they are looking into it. The Embassy has also sought consular access,” India in Russia said in a post on X.

According to government sources, the two men were detained on charges of drunkenness and allegedly breaking the glasses of an ambulance nearby.

What Chandan Gupta's wife said

Sneha Gupta, wife of Chandan Gupta, has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for help through a social media video.

Also Read: Eight Indonesian airports remain shut due to volcanic ash from Anak Krakatau

She said her husband is an engineer working for an Indian company based in Sector 62, Noida, and had travelled to Russia for work through the company. She said the family was living in Russia under a highly qualified visa.

“I appeal to the Honourable Chief Minister, Yogi ji, that the police here took my husband away at around 12.30 am at night,” she said in the video.

Sneha alleged that her husband had done nothing wrong and was later “trapped” in a case before being jailed. “They are not releasing him,” she said, appealing for government intervention to secure his release.

She also said she was facing difficulties in Russia following her husband’s detention. “I do not know the local language, and I have my ten-year-old child with me,” she said.

“How are we supposed to leave this place? Please help my husband and get him released,” she appealed.

Sneha also alleged that people in Russia were being forcibly sent to the Russian Army, claiming there was a shortage of personnel. She alleged that people were being trapped and taken away without their families knowing where they were being taken.

The Indian Embassy, however, said the matter was being treated as a legal issue by local law enforcement authorities and that it was seeking consular access to Gupta.