Education Of Indian Students Evacuated From Ukraine Under Centre's Consideration, AG Tells Supreme Court

In relation to petitions filed seeking evacuation of Indians stranded in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, the Attorney General for India KK Venugopal on Monday submitted that 22,500 Indian students  have been evacuated from Ukraine by the Government of India along with nationals from 20 other countries.

With regard to the issue of continuation of education of students who have been brought back owing to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, the Attorney General submitted that the Government of India is looking into the issue and will take a decision.

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Ramana and Justice Krishna Murari after recording AG's submissions decided to close both the cases -a petition filed on behalf of a student Fathima Ahana and a PIL filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari.

During the hearing today, the Bench at the outset observed that nothing remains in the present matter.

Advocate Vishal Tiwari appearing as petitioner in person submitted that something needs to be done to ensure that the students who've been brought back are allowed to complete their education.

The CJI then asked the Attorney General if the aspect of continuation of education has been considered by the Government.

"Government is looking into it and will take a decision. They have made representations to the Government" the AG said

"Both these writ petitions were filed seeking reliefs. AG has made submissions, all students are brought back to India and nothing survives. Petitioner Counsel submits that Government has to consider studies of students who've not completed their studies due to the war. AG submits Government is considering this issue. This is accordingly closed." the Bench said 

On last occasion, March 6th, the Attorney General for India KK Venugopal had told the Supreme Court that over 250 Indian medical students, on whose behalf petition has been filed seeking their evacuation from Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, were being brought to India the same day.

The AG had submitted that 17,000 Indians had already been evacuated and assured the bench that the Government was taking all possible steps. Citing the example of the Government evacuating lakhs of Indians during the Kuwait war, the AG had said that the Government is capable of rescuing the citizens.

Details of Petition filed by Fathima Ahana Mohamed Ashraf: The writ petition has been filed by a MBBS student studying in National Medical University in Odessa, Ukraine, seeking protection for herself and other stranded students (250 in number) during the present Russia and Ukraine conflict.

The petition has sought directions to the Respondent to secure permission to cross the check point in Moldova from Ukraine enroute to Romania for boarding the Air India evacuation flight, and to immediately take effective diplomatic steps and measures for the evacuation of the Petitioner and other stranded students from Ukraine to India.

Further direction have been sought to ensure the essential and emergency supplies like medical, housing and lodging facilities and supply of food and other essential necessities to the Petitioner.

The petition has been filed through Senior Advocate Dar, Adv Danish Majid Dar and Advocate Abhay Anand Jena.

Details of petition filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari: The PIL filed by Vishal Tiwari has been filed seeking directions for protection of thousands of students and families who are stranded in Ukraine in wake of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine

The plea has sought directions to the Union of India to immediately take the effective diplomatic steps and measures for the escalation of the stranded Indian citizens including students and families in Ukraine.

Further directions have been sought to the Centre to ensure the essential and emergency Supplies like Medical facilities, Housing and lodging facilities and supply of food to the Stranded Indian Citizens in Ukraine.

The plea has also sought directions to Central Government to ensure that the MBBS degree of the Indian Students Studied from Ukraine through Online mode shall be recognized So that the Medical students shall not be loose their Career.

The petition has stated that situation of chaos has occurred in the City of Kyiv in Ukraine and civilians are left with no hope, and the Indian Students trapped in that city are under fear of war and have no way to return home.

The petition has stated that the students from every state of our Nation are trapped in Ukraine and their family members and parents are crying and looking for the hope towards the Government.

"The Government has responsibility to protect the life and liberty of its Citizens Guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India not only in its Country but in foreign Countries also, especially when the Citizens are helpless and all mode of Transports are Shutdown. Government has to take and adopt several Diplomatic measures." the plea states.

Case Title: Vishal Tiwari vs Union of India, Fathima Ahana Mohamed Ashraf vs Union of India

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