SC leaves decision of repatriation of Indian pilgrims from Iran on Centre

The Supreme Court satisfied by the status report submitted by the centre on the steps taken by the government to bring back the Indian nationals or care taken of them in Iran itself. The court wrote in its order that it expects that the "issue of repatriation of these pilgrims will be actively considered by the Union government at the appropriate stages in terms of the assurance provided in the status report".

New Delhi:Commending the steps taken by the Central government and the Indian Embassy in Iran in dealing with the Indian nationals living/visiting there amid corona crisis, the Supreme court on Thursday disposed off the writ petition which sought to bring back the 250 Indian Pilgrims from Iran.

However, the court granted liberty to the petitioner or any aggrieved person to approach the court again if the need arises.

Being satisfied by the status report submitted by the centre to the court on the steps taken by the government to bring back the Indian nationals or care taken of them in Iran itself the court wrote in its order that it expects that the "issue of repatriation of these pilgrims be actively considered by the Union government at the appropriate stages in terms of the assurance provided in the status report".

The centre had submitted that the 250 pilgrims who are in Iran presently have either tested positive for COVID-19 or are relatives of those persons who have voluntarily decided to stay back together with those who had tested positive.

It also ensured the court that the medical facilities, food, shelter and other assisatnce have been provided for them there itself.

The apex court observed that the government's status report also indicates that in the due course the government will facilitate their safe repatriation to India.

Senior Advocate Sanjay Hedge, appearing for the petitioner Mustafa MH, had also submitted that he did not seek a peremptory direction to bring back the 250 pilgrims as whether it will be appropriate to get them back will have to be checked on case to case basis.He had suggested that a special flight can be arranged for them and they can quarantined here.

The petitioner had moved to SC as his relatives are also among the pilgrim group stranded there. He had citied that there was lack of medical facilities and most of them were old and ailing.