The Patna High Court has directed the Central government to file its response within a week on protocol to be followed for interstate movement of Students from Bihar stranded at Kota, Rajasthan due to COVID 19 lockdown.
The division bench comprising of Justice Hemant Kumar Srivastava and Justice Rajendra Kumar Mishra was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Ajay Thakur seeking directions for safe return of students stranded in Kota and other places due to lockdown, in accordance with the government guidelines.
The bench said that it would not be appropriate to pass an order without giving the Central Government an opportunity to present its case on the protocol to be followed for interstate movement of students stranded in other states.
The bench however directed the State Government to ensure that proper care was taken of the students stranded in Kota and to provide help to such students in need.
Mr. Lalit Kishore, Advocate General appearing for the state government submitted that the government has created a helpline number for the students stranded in Kota to provide assistance to the needy students.
On the previous hearing the State Government through its Chief Secretary had filed an affidavit before Court stating that it is not possible to call back students stranded in Kota as per the Central government guidelines on COVID 19 lockdown.
The bench has posted the matter for next hearing on May 5.
-India Legal Bureau