Indian citizens stranded in US cannot be evacuated amid lockdown: SC
New Delhi : The Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that Indians who are stranded in the United States cannot be evacuated amid lockdown.
A three-judge bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul passed the order.
"Assistance is being given to them. They are spread across the US. They cannot be brought back. US government is extending visas. Let’s wait for some time," the court said.
The petitioner and advocate Vibha Dutta Makhija claimed that there is no guarantee on extending visas as it comes with a hefty cost of 500 dollars.
The Supreme Court mentioned that they have no authority to control the decision of a foreign government and asked the Centre to request the US government in enabling the extension of visas.
"We have a list of 110 people in dire need of help. Helplines are there. The government has said they will consider evacuation on a case by case basis. Evacuations have been done before. There needs to be fairness," Makhija told the court.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta also mentioned that the evacuations were done at an early stage and currently all evacuations are suspended internationally.
"Each country is trying to do its best to do and act. Why don’t you understand?" Justice Kaul said and observed we are not in a position to direct anything at this time.
