Covid bar: NRI flier moves Kerala HC against rights violation: his job is at stake for not returning for work on time

Muzammil Varikkottil had undergone an RT-PCR test on January 25, two days prior to his scheduled departure on January 27, and tested negative for the virus

K.M. Rakesh   |   TT  |  Bangalore   |   04.02.22  :  A non-resident Indian who was restrained from flying to his workplace in Abu Dhabi after he tested positive for Covid at Calicut International Airport has moved Kerala High Court against the violation of his fundamental right to travel.

Muzammil Varikkottil, 29, from Malappuram had undergone an RT-PCR test on January 25, two days prior to his scheduled departure on January 27, and tested negative for Covid-19.

However, when he arrived at the airport in Kerala’s Kozhikode district with that report, he was “compelled” to undergo a Rapid-PCR test and he tested positive for Covid-19, Muzammil said in his petition filed through advocate Manas P. Hameed. A negative report from a Rapid-PCR test done at the airport is mandatory for those flying to the UAE.

Muzammil, who works as a driver in Abu Dhabi, was asked to leave the airport, resulting in a loss of Rs 15,000 he had spent on the one-way ticket and the pre-flight tests. Now his job is at stake for not returning for work on time, he told the court.

Hameed said the court had issued notices to the Union and state health departments, civil aviation ministry, ICMR, Airports Authority of India and the Calicut airport director.