India Evacuated 22,500 Students, Indian Nationals From Ukraine: Centre To SC
Mumbai: The Central Government has told the Supreme Court of India that 22,500 students and Indian nationals have been evacuated from Ukraine amid the ongoing crisis and that “a mammoth task has been completed”.
It also informed the Supreme Court that students who returned from Kyiv be allowed to continue their degrees in India. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is considering it and will make a decision soon.
A bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana was informed by the Attorney General of India KK Venugopal, Centre that students have given representation to the government on the issue of continuation of their studies and the government is looking into it and will make a decision.
“A mammoth task has been completed,” AG told the apex court adding that along with Indian nationals, nationals from other countries have been evacuated by the government.
The apex court then closed the two petitions pending before it on the issue.
“Both these writ petitions were filed for relief… the Attorney General has submitted, all the students have been brought back to India and nothing is left. The counsel for the petitioner says that the government has to consider studies of students who have not completed their studies due to the war. Attorney General submits government is considering this issue. The case is accordingly closed,” the bench said.
Earlier, the Supreme Court had expressed concern over the lives of students trapped between conflict zones in Ukraine. The Center had said that due to the efforts of the government, Indians have been swiftly evacuated from Ukraine.
The top court had suggested the government open a helpline so that students or their families can communicate.
The Government of India is equally concerned as the Supreme Court is and is leaving no stone unturned to bring back the citizens, the AG had told the apex court.
The petition filed by Ahana claims that over 250 students stranded in Ukraine are looking for hope from the Indian government.
The petition calls on the government to “obtain permission to safely cross the checkpoint in Moldova en route from Ukraine to Romania to board the Air India evacuation flight and to take immediate effective diplomatic steps and measures to evacuate the petitioner including other stranded students”.
Another petition was filed by advocate Vishal Tiwari, seeking directions for the protection of thousands of students and families who are stranded in Ukraine in wake of the ongoing conflict.
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