The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government to submit status reports on efforts to trace 85 people from the state who remain unreachable after devastating floods in Nepal.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan passed the order while hearing a public interest litigation filed by advocate AF Parvesh Mushraf. The petition sought urgent steps to locate pilgrims from Tamil Nadu affected by the disaster and ensure their safe rescue and return.
According to the Tamil Nadu government, 305 people from the state had travelled to Nepal, most of them for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Of these, 220 have been traced and confirmed safe, while the whereabouts of 85 people remain unknown.
The court directed the state government to place a formal report on record detailing the measures taken so far and the rescue operations currently under way. The Union government has also been allowed to submit its response. The matter will be taken up again after eight days.
Among those reported missing is retired Madras High Court judge Justice V Sivagnanam. He has reportedly been unreachable since August 26, when he last spoke to his wife. During Wednesday’s hearing, however, the Centre and the state government did not clarify whether Sivagnanam is included among the 85 people currently untraced.
The Tamil Nadu government told the court that it has been working with the Centre and the Indian Embassy in Kathmandu to locate the missing pilgrims. Families of those still untraceable have also been offered assistance, including travel support to Kathmandu at the government’s expense.
The state provided details of several rescue efforts. Of the 57 pilgrims who travelled through Kumbakonam-based Super Yatra, 21 have been rescued and safely brought back, the government said.
Officials from Tamil Nadu House are stationed in Kathmandu and are coordinating with the Indian Embassy, Nepalese authorities and relatives of the missing people.
Several rescued pilgrims have reached New Delhi and were later taken to their respective hometowns. The government said it arranged food, refreshments and air tickets for the rescued travellers.
However, authorities have not yet been able to establish contact with 49 people who travelled through Chennai-based Mahadev Kailash Yatra. Efforts to locate them through the Indian Embassy are continuing.
The court’s intervention comes as families remain anxious about the safety of their relatives following the floods in Nepal. The next hearing is expected to provide an update on the rescue and tracing operations.
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