Ramesh Grander Goyal v. Union of India

1. The hearing was conducted through Video Conferencing.

2. Petitioner by this present petition seeks a direction to the respondent, Government ofIndia to evacuate the son ofthe petitioner from Edinburgh,Scotland to India and to ensurethat he is provided all medical facilities,ifrequired.

3. The son of the petitioner is a student in Edinburgh, Scotland and was pursuing his course there.

4. Pursuant to the consolidated travel advisory issued by the Government ofIndia, son ofthe petitioner is not been able to travel back to India. When the petition was earlier listed before this Court, Mr.Bakshilearned counsel appearing forthe petitioner had contended that the students in Edinburgh, who were stranded there, were facing W.P.(C)2940/2020 ' Page 1 2020:DHC:3850-DB greatdifficulty asthey had notbeen contacted by any officerand were also notaware asto whoto contactincaseofany emergency.

5. On 30.03.2020 it wasinformed by Mr.Bakshi,learned counsel appearing for the petitioner, that though an email had been received by the son ofthe petitioner from an officer ofthe Consulate General but on no physical help on the ground had reached the son of the petitioner.

6. Mr. Amit Mahajan, Central Government Standing Counsel appearing forthe Union ofIndia had taken time to take instructions to ascertain as to what assistance was required by the son of the petitioner and as to whetherthesame could be made available to him.

7. Mr.Amit Mahajan,Central Government Standing Counsel,has by his email,filed the status reportofthe Ministiy ofExternalAffairs.

8. It is stated by the Ministiy of External Affairs that a 24x[7] helpline has been established to addressthe queries by Indian students and the Indian Community abroad.It is stated thatthe Government of India along with the Government of United Kingdom have actively disseminated,through website and social media platforms,necessaiy information to all citizens ofIndia.

9. It is stated that an officer ofthe Consulate General ofIndia, Edinburgh had personally contacted the son ofthe petitioner through telephone and he has been provided with the necessaiy information regarding helpline numbers, emergency telephone numbers, website. W.P.(C)2940/2020 Page[2] email and social media links of the High Commission of India at London and Consulate General ofIndia,Edinburgh.He has also been informed that the overseas visitors to Scotland, regardless of their residency status are exemptfrom NHS charges for both diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). Links regarding the health care for overseas visitors and for refugee and asylum seekers were also shared.

10. The status report ofthe Ministry ofExternal Affairs states that the son ofthe petitioner had informed that presently he was notfacing any health issues and was primarily concerned about coming back to India. He had informed that he was presently sharing accommodation with one more student.

11. It is pointed out that two Indian stores are located within walking distance from where he is staying besides their being other supermarkets where, as per the information received, there is sufficientsupply offood items and no shortage offood items has been reported so far.

12. Son ofthe petitioner has been advised to register with the High Commission ofIndia at London so that necessary updates and travel advisories could be shared with him.Emergency number ofan officer ofthe Consulate General ofEdinburgh has been shared with him and he has been advised to contact him in case ofany emergency.

13. It is stated that the son ofthe petitioner has informed that there is shortage ofmasks and sanitizers and he has not been able to acquire W.P.(C)2940/2020 Page 3 X) the same from the market.

14. Mr. Mahajan, learned Central Government Standing Counsel submits that there is shortage ofmasks and sanitizers in Scotland and UK and even the Consulate has not been able to procure the same from the market. However, efforts are being made by the Consulate General ofIndia to procure and provide the same as soon as possible.

15. It is also stated in the status report that there are few volunteers in Edinburgh who have offered help in case of any necessity. The status report assures that the Consulate General ofIndia at Edinburgh is working to help the stranded Indians through student's associations, community groups and individuals by providing all possible assistance in the form of accommodation, food etc to all Indian citizens in Scotland. The Indian National Students Association(UK) and the High Commission ofIndia are working closely to address the specific issues ofIndian students across UK during COVID crisis.