The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to order the evacuation of thousands of Indians left stranded abroad since the Covid-19 outbreak, saying it was the government’s prerogative to decide when it would be feasible to bring them back.

“The government has said no person will be allowed to come. The government has taken a decision to not allow any flights and trains. How can we ask them to allow the planes to land?” Justice N.V. Ramana, who was heading a three-judge bench, observed.

“The government is not allowing international flights. Let the government take a decision as and when it’s feasible to bring them back whenever it can be done.”

The bench that also included Justices Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Bhushan Gavai was dealing with a petition filed by the mother of a student who has been stranded in the US since the Covid-19 lockdown began.

Senior advocate Vibha Makhija, who appeared for the student’s mother, told the court that hundreds of students were stranded in the US and couldn’t afford to extend their visas because of financial constraints.

Even a limited extension of visa would cost a student at least Rs 35,000, she said.

Justice Ramana said the court couldn’t pass any order on this situation.

“It’s a different government there, our government cannot control their decisions. The Indian government can request the US government to not create problems in visa extension,” the judge said.

“On this situation orders can't be passed.”