[Coronavirus] Indian students in Kazakhstan can't be flown back for now; safety of students will be ensured till then: Centre tells Delhi HC

The Central Government today informed the Delhi High Court that in view of the complete embargo imposed on air travel into India due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Indian students stranded in Kazakhstan cannot be flown back to India, at this juncture.

The Centre has, however, assured that it shall continue to ensure and secure the welfare, well-being and safety of all the Indian students till the situation improves.

The statement was made by Central Government Standing Counsel Jasmeet Singh before a Division Bench of Justices Siddharth Mridul and Talwant Singh.

The Bench was hearing a petition concerning Indian students who were stranded at the Almaty Airport, Khazakhstan, without food, water, transportation, medical aid.

In compliance with the order passed on the last date of hearing, Centre also informed the Court that the Nodal Officer for all Indian students in Kazakhstan had been appointed and all his necessary details and particulars had been uploaded on the official website of the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan, as well as, on the website of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India.

It was also conceded that due to the complete lockdown ordered by the Government of Kazakhstan, it was not possible, at this point in time, to transport the Indian students back to their hostel accommodation at Semey Medical University in Kazakhstan.

The Court recorded that 115 Indian students, who were stranded at the Almaty Airport, Kazakhstan, were not been infected with COVID-19 and had also been provided with boarding (food), lodging and medical assistance etc.

Counsel for the Petitioner, Fozia Rahman today also emphasized that all Indian Embassies/Missions across the world should pro-actively provide stranded Indian students with shelter, food relief and medical provisions.

Considering that the stranded students in Khazakhstan were being attended to by the Embassy, the Court stated that no further directions are required and the petition was disposed of.