MADURAI : The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed the Central and Tamil Nadu governments to file their responses to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking the safe release and repatriation of 24 Tamil Nadu fishermen allegedly being held in Sri Lankan custody.
The Division Bench comprising Justices C V Karthikeyan and R Sakthivel passed the direction while hearing a PIL filed by advocate and fishermen-rights activist Theeran Thirumurugan of Ramanathapuram.
PIL Seeks Details on Fishermen’s Safety
The petitioner urged the court to intervene and ascertain the whereabouts, custodial status and physical safety of the fishermen and ensure that the information is communicated to their families.
He said he had independently verified details concerning five fishermen from Ramanathapuram district through their families and local fishermen’s associations.
The petition also referred to the recent violence at Negombo Prison in Sri Lanka, expressing concern over the safety of Tamil Nadu fishermen detained in prisons in the neighbouring country.
Petition Cites Constitutional and International Obligations
The petitioner relied on Article 21 of the Constitution, the doctrine of parens patriae and provisions of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963, arguing that the Union government has an obligation to provide consular protection and assistance to Indian citizens detained abroad.
The PIL also sought the formulation of a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) covering:
- Consular assistance to detained fishermen
- Legal aid and representation
- Coordination between the Centre and Tamil Nadu government
- Regular communication with fishermen’s families
- Time-bound repatriation after release or bail
The petitioner proposed that travel formalities and repatriation should be completed within seven days of a fisherman’s release or grant of bail by a competent Sri Lankan court.
24 Fishermen Allegedly Remain in Custody
According to the petitioner, he had interacted with several of the 12 fishermen who were previously detained in Sri Lanka and later released and repatriated to India.
Those fishermen allegedly informed him that 24 Tamil Nadu fishermen continued to remain in Sri Lankan custody, awaiting release and repatriation.
The petitioner claimed that the prolonged detention of fishermen was part of a recurring pattern that causes significant hardship to the fishermen and their families.
Court Seeks Government Responses
After hearing the submissions, the Madurai Bench directed the Central and Tamil Nadu governments to file their responses to the PIL.
The court has adjourned the matter to September 2, 2026, when the government responses are expected to be considered.
