The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court closed a public interest litigation petition after taking note of the status report submitted by the Central government that said steps were being taken to secure the release of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu who were arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy in recent times.
A Division Bench of Justices P. Velmurugan and K.K. Ramakrishnan was hearing the petition filed by Theeran Thirumurugan of Madurai who sought a direction to the government to secure the release of 24 fishermen.
The Centre said five fishermen had already been repatriated from Sri Lankan prisons/detention centres and effective steps were being taken to secure the release and repatriation of the remaining fishermen. Taking note of the status report, the court closed the petition.
The petitioner said he, along with members of Tamil Nadu Meenavar Urimai Padhugappu Iyakkam and Fishermen Wing of Naam Tamilar Katchi, met several fishermen, who had been released, to ascertain the prevailing situation concerning the fishermen from Tamil Nadu in Sri Lankan custody.
He said they were informed that 24 fishermen from Tamil Nadu continued to remain in Sri Lankan custody. The fishermen were desperately awaiting their release and repatriation, he said and sought immediate diplomatic, consular and administrative intervention for securing the release and safe repatriation of fishermen detained in Sri Lankan prisons.
He said the continued detention of the fishermen assumed even greater urgency in view of the deteriorating security situation prevailing in Sri Lankan prisons, thereby making the immediate intervention by authorities imperative in order to safeguard their life, liberty and safety.
Published - October 13, 2026 08:05 pm IST