Delhi HC Asks Centre To Expeditiously Decide Plea Of Ethiopian Family Seeking Extension Of Visa Citing Financial Inability To Buy Return Tickets

The Delhi High Court has asked the Centre and Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) to expeditiously decide a plea moved by an Ethiopian family seeking extension of its medical visa in view of their financial difficulty to purchase tickets for going back to their country.

Justice Rekha Palli was dealing with a plea moved by five members of the family seeking direction on the authority concerned to extend their visa by a period of 45 days as their medical visa was to expire on August 31.

It was the case of the petitioners that after arriving to India on July 1, 2020 for the purpose of medical treatment of two family members, they incurred far greater expenses than they had anticipated owing to the unexpected surge in Covid-19.

Stating that the tickets to Ethiopia were exorbitantly priced, Advocate Zeeshan Khan appearing for the petitioners pro bono, prayed that the family's visa be extended by a period of 45 days, enabling them to make requisite arrangements.

Issuing notice on the plea, the Court said:

"Keeping in view the fact that the petitioners' visa is expiring on 31.08.2021, it is expected that respondent no.2 will take an expeditious decision on the petitioner's application before the said date."

During the course of hearing, Rajesh Gogna, standing counsel for the Central Government apprised the Court that if an application for re-issuance of permit for staying in India for a further period of 45 days is filed by the petitioners, it will expeditiously consider the same by taking a compassionate view considering the fact that entire world was reeling under the effect of COVID-19 ever since the petitioners arrived in India.

In view of the above, the matter was adjourned to September 6.

Title: RIDA AI HALAWLH & ORS. v. UNION OF INDIA & ORS.

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