Youth who served in Russian army found dead

T'puram: A 23-year-old youth from Pozhiyoor, who had returned from Russia after being recruited into the military through a fraudulent job offer, was found dead at a lodge in Neyyattinkara on Thursday.
Police said initial probe points to depression and financial issues as the reason behind the suspected suicide. David M had been promised a well-paid office job but ended up serving in the Russian military instead. He had gone to Russia in Nov 2023 and returned to India in March 2024 with the help of the Indian embassy in Russia.
David was deeply distressed after spending Rs 4 lakh on the job, worried that the money was lost. He was also concerned about not receiving compensation for injuries sustained during the war in Ukraine. His father, a fisherman, said David had been depressed since returning from Russia.
"The agent who deceived him promised that the money would be refunded, with the final deadline set for Wednesday. However, the agent did not respond to his calls, which left him even more distressed. David was supposed to return home after meeting the agent in Ernakulam on Wednesday night, but he was found dead in a lodge near Neyyattinkara bus stand the following morning," said his father.
David's father said his son had been cheated, and the culprits must be brought to justice. Neyyattinkara police have registered a case under Section 194 of the BNSS for unnatural death. David had been searching for a job after completing his Plus Two, his father said.