Madras High Court Directs Govts to Report on Tamils Missing in Nepal Floods

The Madras High Court on Wednesday directed the central and Tamil Nadu governments to submit a detailed report within a week outlining the steps taken to trace and rescue people from the state who went missing in Nepal following recent flash floods.

The order was issued by the first bench, comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G Arul Murugan, while admitting a petition filed by advocate Parvez Mushraf, a resident of Dindigul. The petitioner moved the court seeking judicial intervention to direct the authorities to trace all Tamils reported missing in the wake of the disaster.

During the hearing, Advocate-General Vijay Narayan informed the bench about the ongoing rescue and relief measures. He submitted that 305 people from Tamil Nadu had travelled to Nepal on a pilgrimage to Kailash when the flash floods hit the region. Out of these travellers, 220 individuals have been rescued and sent back to their respective hometowns across the state.

The Advocate-General further stated that search and rescue efforts are currently underway to locate the remaining 85 pilgrims who are still missing. He also apprised the bench that family members of the individuals who remain unaccounted for have been transported to Kathmandu at government expense to assist in the process. Among those reported missing is retired High Court judge S Sivananaam, whose relatives were also taken to Kathmandu under the government initiative.

In his plea, petitioner Parvez Mushraf requested that the authorities place comprehensive information in the public domain concerning all travellers from Tamil Nadu who went to Nepal. The plea specifically sought the release of verified lists detailing those who have been safely rescued, those who are currently undergoing medical treatment, and those who continue to remain missing.

After hearing the submissions, the bench instructed the authorities to compile and submit a full report within a week detailing the concrete steps taken to track down the missing pilgrims and assist affected families.