Delhi High Court: A Division Bench of Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh, JJ. while partly allowing the present petition stated that,
“Ministry of External Affairs, GOI may in their discretion consider evacuation of Indian students from Kazakhstan if imperative in latter’s interests.”
Central Government Standing Counsel, Jasmeet Singh representing Union of India and Ministry of External Affairs Government of India informed the Bench that Martin Cyriac Clemenese, Second Secretary and Officer-in-Charge of Representative Office of India at Almaty, Kazakhstan has been appointed as Nodal Officer for Indian Students in Kazakhstan.
115 Indian Students are stranded at the Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan. They have been provided with food, lodging and medical assistance in terms of Court’s order dated 25-03-2020, wherein it was directed by the Court:
“to promptly appoint a Nodal Officer from the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan to ensure, inter alia, the welfare, well-being and safety of all such Indian students. The Nodal Officer is directed to expeditiously facilitate, secure and provide the said students with all basic amenities and including humanitarian assistance, in terms of, medical care, boarding (food), lodging and transportation, as may be necessary or warranted.”
Court is also informed that none amongst these Indian Students are reported to be have been infected by corona virus.
Central Government Standing Counsel stated that in view of the complete lockdown ordered by Kazakhstan Government, it is not possible for them to be transported back to their hostel accommodation. Also they can’t be flown back to India due to complete lockdown.
Further he states that, Ministry of External Affairs shall continue to ensure and secure the welfare, well-being and safety of the students with the provision of basic amenities till the situation comes back to normal.
In view of the petition id disposed of. [Shehla Saira v. Union of India, 2020 SCC OnLine Del 499 , decided on 27-03-2020]
