Delhi HC hears first case via Video Conferencing, directs MEA to ensure safety and welfare of Indian students stranded in Kazakhstan

On Wednesday, Delhi HC while hearing its first matter through video conferencing directed the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure welfare and safety of Indian students stranded at Almaty airport in Kazakhstan for the past 2-3 days without food and medical aid due to coronavirus pandemic.

During the hearing through video conferencing, HC's two-judge bench comprising of Justice Siddharth Mridul and Justice Talwant Singh directed the MEA to expeditiously provide the students basic amenities and including humanitarian assistance

The HC Judges joined the proceeding via video conferencing from their homes from their homes while Advocate Fozia Rahman, who appeared for the petitioner, and central government standing counsel Jasmeet Singh, who represented the MEA, connected from their offices.

The Petitioner's Advocate submitted before the Bench that several Indian students, who are enrolled for higher studies, including MBBS, at Semey Medical University in Kazakhstan are stranded in that country including at the Almaty Airport without food, water, transportation and medical aid.

The petition was filed by Sehla Saira. HC Bench issued notice to the Centre through MEA and granted time till March 27 to its file response to the petition.

HC Bench stated that,“…we find it incumbent upon us to direct the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, to promptly appoint a Nodal Officer from the Indian Embassy in Kazakhstan to ensure, inter alia, the welfare, well-being and safety of all such Indian students. The Nodal Officer is directed to expeditiously facilitate, secure and provide the said students with all basic amenities and including humanitarian assistance, in terms of, medical care, boarding (food), lodging and transportation, as may be necessary or warranted,” the bench said.

Bench asked for the details of the nodal officer, including his name and telephone number, be communicated to the stranded Indian students and also uploaded on the website of Indian Embassy at Kazakhstan and on the website of MEA immediately.

HC Bench listed the matter for further hearing on March 27.