Corona Pandemic: Delhi HC Expresses Satisfaction on Steps Taken By Centre For Evacuating Stranded Students From Iran

While taking the status report filed by Centre on record, the Single Bench of Justice Navin Chawla observed that the court is satisfied by the steps taken by the government in rescuing the stranded students.

'The court also noted that authorities have done more than what was expected', the court opined.

Today, Government Counsel Anurag Ahluwalia informed the court that a total of 119 Indians students were tested for COVID-19 and one student has tested positive and is undergoing treatment there.

It was further informed by Mr Ahluwalia that 110 students have been brought back to India and while five did not go for sampling, four have tested negative of the virus and are in Iran.

Advocate Fozia Rahman and M Qayam Ud Din, who appeared for the Petitioner parents, submitted that they have been able to contact several Indian students in Iran and as and when they will get in touch with other students, they will inform the Indian authorities.

In light of the same, the court directed that in case the parents are able to contact the remaining students there, they shall inform the authorities who will then act expeditiously.

In the previous hearing, the court had directed the Central Government to make sure that the Indian embassy gets in contact with the Indian students who are stuck in Iran due to the coronavirus outbreak, and give necessary assurances to them.

The court had earlier noted that:

'The government must chart out a priority plan and focus on persons whose locations are already known. The government must first focus on areas that are worst affected.'