Russia-Ukraine Conflict : Petitioner & Students Stranded Along With Her Will Be Brought To India Tonight; 17,000 Indians Evacuated, Attorney General Tells Supreme Court

The Attorney General for India KK Venugopal told the Supreme Court on Friday that over 250 Indian medical students, on whose behalf a petition has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking their evacuation from Ukraine amid the Russian invasion, will be brought to India tonight.

The AG informed a bench headed by the Chief Justice of India NV Ramana that the petitioner Fathima Ahana Muhammad Ashraf and other students accompanying her have crossed over to Romania, and that they will be transported to India by today evening. The petition was filed stating that petitioner along with 250 other medical students were stranded at the Moldova border on the Ukranain side.

The AG submitted that he had conveyed the concerns expressed by the Court yesterday to PK Mishra IAS, the Secretary to the Prime Minister's Office, who in turn conveyed the same to Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia, who is stationed in Romania to oversee the rescue operations.

"She is now contacted, they'll transfer by plane today. This information was given by to Mr Mishra. She and the persons accompanying her should be in India by today night", the AG told the bench.

The AG submitted that 17,000 Indians have 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 said that the Government is capable of rescuing the citizens.

The AG also expressed concerns about petitions in this regard being filed in various High Courts.

"Please leave it to the government. Another plea has been filed in the Rajasthan High Court. Large number of such petitions will now be filed", the AG submitted.

"Mr AG you can inform your counsels appearing in State High courts that once we are hearing & Centre is taking steps there's no meaning of every High Court entertaining & granting directions. Bring it to HC's notice that we're seized of matter", the CJI told the AG. The CJI  also suggested that the Government can keep an online helpline for parents.

The AG reiterated that the Government is as concerned as the Court.

"We are not saying a single word about centre. We appreciate that. But we are concerned about these students", the CJI said.

The CJI also expressed during the hearing that it was unfortunate that the humans have not learnt from the past horrors of war.

"It's unfortunate we haven't learnt from past situation of wars etc. We don't have much say in this. But the anxiety is about students", CJI said.

The CJI also expressed gratitude to the AG for his assistance in the matter. A bench comprising CJI Ramana, Justice AS Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli was considering two petitions relating to Indians stranded in Ukraine. One was the petition filed on behalf of Fathima Ahana and the other was a PIL filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari.

During the hearing, the CJI also pulled by Advocate Vishal Tiwari for filing a Public Interest Litigation in the matter and asked if he was looking for publicity by taking advantage of the situation. The CJI told him that he has seen from the Supreme Court website that Tiwari has filed several PILs in the past which were dismissed with costs.

"If you want to do something this isn't the way to file petitions with paper cuttings etc. You know this is a sensitive situation, we can't say anything, don't try to take advantage", CJI told Tiwari.

The Court will consider the matter again next Friday.

The Supreme Court had on Thursday (yesterday) agreed to list the matter urgently, on a mentioning made by Senior Advocate AM Dar in the case filed by Fathima.

The Court had also urged the Attorney General for India KK Venugopal to use his good offices to help the Indian students who are stranded in Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.

"There are 1000 of students like this but some have come here... we can't say no, please use your good offices and do something", Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had told the AG.

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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