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• The Supreme Court was hearing two writ petitions seeking evacuation of Indian students from war-hit Ukraine

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Attorney General (AG) KK Venugopal today informed the Supreme Court that 22,000 people have been evacuated from the war torn Ukraine by India.

The AG further informed the court that India has evacuated 20 people belonging to other nationalities as well. The AG deemed it a "Mammoth effort by the government" which has been successfully executed.

When the matter came up for hearing, Advocate Vishal Tiwari submitted that the government has to do something for continuation of education for the students who were forced to discontinue their studies mid-way. Replying to this, AG submitted that a representation has been made to the government in this regard and it will take a call on this shortly.

A Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice NV Ramana, also consisting of Justice Krishna Murari disposed the writ petitions on hearing the submissions of the parties.

The Attorney General of India KK Venugopal on 4th of March informed the Court that the petitioner and persons accompanying her, who had requested to be evacuated will most likely reach India tonight.

“She and the persons accompanying her will reach India tonight," Venugopal informed Court.

The AG further assured the Court that, "The government of India is as concerned about the plight of Indians in Ukraine as this Court is.”

A Supreme Court bench consisting of Chief Justice of India NV Ramana Justices Bopanna and Hima Kohli had yesterday requested the Attorney General of India to look into the plight of certain students stranded in the Romanian/Moldovan border owing to the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine and help in their evacuation.

Sr. Adv. AM Dar appearing for the petitioner, mentioned the matter before the bench today, stating, “They (the students) are from Odessa, Ukraine and have come to Romanian border. The government of India is operating flights from Hungary and Poland but not from Romania. They are without money, water and it’s -7 degrees there.”

The AG then informed Court that after receipt of the petition from Supreme Court, the information was sent to the the Personal Assistant to the Prime Minister of India, P. K. Mishra, IAS.

The same was conveyed Minister of Civil Aviation Jyotiraditya Scindia who is stationed in Romania to oversee the evacuation process. 

The CJI thanked the Government for its effort and enquired as to how many Indians are now stranded in Ukraine.

The AG informed Court that, "The news says there are around 7000 Indians now. The Prime Minister has ensured that all of them are being taken care of. As it is, there were 25,000 Indians, and 17,000 have already been evacuated.”

The AG further submitted that many PILs in this regard are still being filed despite the Supreme Court being seized of the matter.

The CJI told the AG, "Bring it to the notice of the High Courts that we are seized of the matter. Inform your counsels there.”

Cause Title: Fatima Ahan vs Union of India & Vishal Tiwari Vs Union of India