The Delhi High Court on Tuesday sought the Centre's response over a plea seeking evacuation of Indian students studying in Iran at the earliest in wake of spreading coronavirus in the country.

The matter was mentioned on Monday before Chief Justice DN Patel, who listed the matter before a bench of Justice I.S. Mehta who issued notice to the Centre and slated the matter for hearing on March 11.

The petition was filed by parents of Indian students studying in Iran through social justice lawyer Fozia Rahman. The plea stated that though the Indian students in Iran have not been affected but there is still a life threat due to spreading of coronavirus and hence, they should return to their home country.

Also seeking to ensure safety of Indian Students studying in Iran, the petitioner has sought adequate travel arrangements for these students through aeroplanes, ships, cruise ships or any other appropriate and feasible mode of transport. It also sought appropriate directions to provide humanitarian assistance to the Indian students in Iran.

There are around 70 Indian students stranded on the Shiraz University of Medical Sciences campus after the university closed down because of the coronvavirus crisis in the country that has killed 43 and infected 593, reported NDTV. Reports, however, say far more people may have died in the country which may be under-reporting the cases. Another 230 Kashmiri students are stranded in the capital Teheran's University of Medical Sciences and other colleges.