Read Time: 05 minutes

The Attorney General of India KK Venugopal today 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.”

The Court concluded the matter saying that while it is not passing any orders as it is a very sensitive matter, it will however, list the case on Friday (March 11) to be apprised of the status. 

Cause Title: Fatima Ahan vs Union of India