Madras HC Seeks Centre's Reply on Release Plea for 24 Fishermen Held in Sri Lanka
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court on Monday (August 10, 2026) sought the response of the Union government on a public interest litigation (PIL) seeking the immediate release of 24 Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are currently in the custody of the Sri Lankan Navy. A Division Bench of Justices C.V. Karthikeyan and R. Sakthivel issued the notice while hearing the petition filed by advocate Theeran Thirumurugan of Madurai.
The petitioner submitted that he, along with members of the Tamil Nadu Meenavar Urimai Padhugappu Iyakkam and the Fishermen Wing of the Naam Tamilar Katchi, had met several fishermen who were released earlier to ascertain the condition of those still detained. According to the information gathered, 24 fishermen from Tamil Nadu continue to remain in Sri Lankan prisons and are eagerly waiting to be released and repatriated to India.
The plea sought immediate diplomatic, consular and administrative intervention to secure the release and safe return of the fishermen. It also highlighted that the continued detention had become a matter of urgent concern due to the deteriorating security situation in Sri Lankan prisons. The petitioner argued that immediate intervention by the authorities was imperative to safeguard the life, liberty and safety of the detained fishermen.
After hearing the submissions, the court directed issuance of notice to the respondents and adjourned the matter to September 1, 2026, for further hearing.
The issue of Tamil Nadu fishermen being detained by Sri Lanka is not new. The Palk Bay and the Gulf of Mannar form a narrow stretch of sea between India and Sri Lanka, with the International Maritime Boundary Line running through them. Fishermen from both sides frequently cross this line, sometimes inadvertently. The Sri Lankan Navy has maintained that it arrests Indian fishermen when they are found fishing illegally in Sri Lankan waters, with the use of bottom trawling being a major concern. Indian fishermen and their representatives, on the other hand, have often claimed that the boundary is not clearly visible and that they drift into Sri Lankan waters without knowledge. These conflicting claims have led to a cycle of arrests and detentions over the years.
The Indian government has been taking up such cases through diplomatic channels and bilateral mechanisms such as the India-Sri Lanka Joint Working Group on Fisheries. Many fishermen have been released after negotiations, but the process often takes months. The Indian High Commission in Colombo has, in several past instances, coordinated the release and repatriation of detained fishermen. However, the recurrence of such incidents indicates that a permanent solution has yet to be found.
The detention of fishermen also has a severe impact on their families back home. Fishing provides the primary livelihood for many coastal communities in Tamil Nadu, and the absence of a breadwinner can push households into financial distress. There have been instances where families had to approach the courts seeking assistance to secure the release of their kin. In this case, the petitioner has approached the court on behalf of the 24 fishermen, with the support of fisher organisations.
The latest PIL brings a constitutional dimension to the issue. It invokes the fundamental right to life and personal liberty guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution. By seeking the government’s response, the court is essentially asking the administration to explain the steps it has taken to bring these 24 citizens back. The court has also sought details about the consular access extended to the detained fishermen and the progress of diplomatic talks with Sri Lanka. The outcome of the next hearing, scheduled for September 1, will be keenly watched by the families of the fishermen as well as by others in the fishing community who live with the constant threat of detention.
