SC issues notice to govt, seeks evacuation of pilgrims from Iran

Apex Court on Friday issued notice to the central govt, seeking to immediately evacuate and provide all possible help to Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran.

Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday issued notice to the central government on a petition seeking to immediately evacuate and provide all possible medical help to the Indian pilgrims stranded in Iran's Qom.

A bench comprising of Justice DY Chandrachud and Justice Surya Kant issued notice on a petition filed by Mustafa M H seeking urgent humanitarian help to evacuate around 800 Indian Pilgrims stranded in Qom city in Iran due to coronavirus.

The apex court heard the matter through video conference and adjourned it to be addressed on 30th March. Moreover, it asked the government to provide all possible assistance in the meantime. Further, the court requested the solicitor general Tushar Mehta to be present in the case and update the status of the report.

"They are stranded in Qom, Iran without any health/medical facilities and food supplies. Besides, they have been accommodated in hotel rooms in groups of 4-5," read the petition filed. It also said that most of the pilgrims are from a poor financial background and situation of Iran is very grave presently which is eventually putting them all at a great risk.

The petition stated that there could be as many as 250 people in the group of pilgrims who could be COVID-19 positive and in such a situation accommodating so many people together is a serious threat to health. Moreover, two persons were reported dead in the group but the reason of their death wasn't cited by the govt of Iran.

There is no Indian consulate in Iran and various stranded pilgrims have informed that they haven't been contacted by the health officials for last 25 days, Mustafa M H added.

The petitioner said that despite certain measures taken by the Indian government, the pilgrims have not been able to receive proper accommodation or health care facilities.

"Total number of around 389 people were evacuated from Iran which includes many students. A team of doctor was sent to Iran who conducted the test on 850 people. However, this process was conducted only once. Thereafter, there has not been any testing of any of the pilgrims," read the petition.

The petitioner elaborated that the group includes old and ill people who require regular medical check ups which they are not being able to receive and some haven't even been able to buy medicines.

The relatives were scheduled to return on March 6 after 3 months of pilgrimage but could not come back due to the COVID-19 outbreak.