SC Appreciates Efforts Of Center In Bringing Back Students Stuck In Ukraine

The Supreme Court today heard a matter regarding the students stuck in Ukraine due to the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian War and appreciated the efforts that are being made by the Government to bring Indians back to the country.

The Bench comprising of Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana, Justice A. S. Bopanna and Justice Hima Kohli was hearing a Public Interest Litigation filed by Advocate Vishal Tiwari and a petition filed by Fathima Ahana regarding the students who are stuck in Ukraine.

The Attorney General submitted to the court that students have been brought across the border and would be returning to India tonight.

He submitted that "She has been contacted and they will be transferred by plane today, she and the people accompanying her should be in India by tonight."

The Chief Justice of India then praised the efforts that the Attorney General had put in to get the students to safety.

The petition filed by Advocate Tiwari concerned the evacuation of students stuck in the cities of Ukraine. The Chief Justice of India pulled up Tiwari for having a history of filing PILs based on cutouts from the newspapers and other news reports.

The Court warned him not to take advantage of a serious situation. The Attorney General of India informed the Court that approximately 17000 people have been evacuated by the Government from Ukraine.

The Bench expressed concern over the safety of the students who are stuck, to which the Attorney General replied that, "the Government is as concerned as your lordship".

The Chief Justice of India addressing the anxiety of the parents of the students stuck in Ukraine observed that, "It is unfortunate that we have not learned from the past and still resort to war" and recommended setting up helplines so that the parents can be kept informed.

An urgent mentioning was made yesterday before the Chief Justice of India by Senior Advocate A. M. Dar in the matter filed by Fathima Ahana and the Court had agreed to list the matter in which protection was sought by her for herself and other 250 students who were stranded there without resources. The petition also sought directions to the Respondents to obtain permission to cross the checkpoint in Moldova for safe passage to Romania.