Centre Expected To Operate Flights For Indians Stranded Overseas Within Limitations Of Available Resources: Delhi HC [Read Order]

While making that observation, the Single Bench of Justice Vibhu Bakhru further noted that it is necessary to ensure within the category of persons who are to be accorded priority, a higher priority be accorded to persons who are in medical distress vis-à-vis persons who are otherwise hale and hearty but are stranded due to the expiry of their visa or other reasons.

The order has come in a PIL seeking the following prayers:

1. Direct Centre to strictly follow the Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) for movement of Indian nationals stranded outside the country as per its order dated May 05
2. Direct Centre to bring back listed 56 pregnant healthcare workers who are stranded outside the country with highest priority as all of them are in serious distress and need immediate medical as well as psycho-socio support;
3. Direct Centre to schedule special chartered flight from Saudi Arabia for bringing back pregnant women including listed 56 health care workers who are stranded outside the country with highest priority
4. Direct Centre to provide adequate medical as well as psycho-socio support through Indian Missions to the pregnant women who are stranded and unable to travel back to India due to technical reason

Appearing for the Centre, ASG Maninder Acharya stated that as per MHA Guidelines:

'compelling cases in distress, including migrant workers/labourers who have been laid off, short term visa holders faced with expiry of visas, persons with medical emergency/pregnant women/elderly, those required to return to India due to death of family member, and students.'

While disposing of the petition, the court observed that it's not required to issue any direction that further flights be scheduled as steps have been taken towards the said end.

The Petitioner in the present case was represented by Mr Subhash Chandra

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