Delhi High Court Seeks Centre's Response On Facilities Available To Passengers Kept In Airport Transit Area For Days
The Delhi High Court has directed the Central Government to file an affidavit detailing the facilities available to passengers who are required to remain in an airport transit area for several days.
Justice Mini Pushkarna also asked the Government to indicate whether food and other basic amenities are available to ensure that such passengers can stay in the transit area comfortably.
A transit area in an airport is a secure "airside" zone where connecting passengers wait for their next flight without clearing local customs or immigration.
The Court passed the order while hearing a contempt petition filed by one Paras Narsi, alleging non-compliance with a division bench's order passed on February 22, 2023.
Vide the said order, the authorities were directed to allow Narsi to fly to Ahmedabad, Gujarat, with all his belongings.
During the hearing, the counsel for Narsi submitted that upon his arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, he was detained and allegedly treated inhumanely, as he was not provided basic facilities such as food and lodging.
Narsi also pointed out that by an order passed on May 24, 2023, Air India Limited was directed to file an additional affidavit regarding the mechanism, if any, available for communication between passengers held back by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) and the concerned officials of the airline. It was submitted that the affidavit had not yet been filed.
Senior Advocate Rajiv Nayar, appearing for Air India, submitted that the requisite affidavit would be filed in terms of the earlier order. The Court thus granted four weeks for filing of the same.
Air India further submitted that Narsi was detained by immigration authorities and that the airline had no role in his detention.
The Central Government Standing Counsel, however, submitted that Narsi was never detained and was merely placed in the transit area, where he was free to move around.
In view of the rival submissions, the Court directed the Union Government to file an affidavit regarding the facilities available to passengers in the transit area.
“It shall be specifically indicated as to whether there are facilities for food and other amenities available, so that a person who is not allowed to leave the transit area for few days, as in the present case, stays comfortably,” the Court ordered.
The matter will now be heard on November 20.
Title: Paras Narsi Through Sejal Kumar Solanki v. Union of India & Ors