The Madras High Court disposed of a Petition filed seeking direction to the 2nd respondent (Ministry of External Affairs) to take diplomatic steps to release the 22 fishermen arrested by the Sri Lankan Navy while they were fishing in the historic waters between India and Sri Lanka.
The Petition filed by Fisherman Care Association consequently direct the 1st and 2nd respondents (Union of India and Ministry of External Affairs) to take diplomatic steps to terminate the 1974 Agreement between Sri Lanka and India on the boundary of historic waters between the two countries and related matters entered on 26th and 28th of June 1974 and retrieve Katchatheevu which was illegally ceded to Sri Lanka.
It is submitted before the High Court that 22 fishermen who are the subject matter of the petition, have been released on 14.07.2023.
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Sanjay V. Gangapurwala and Justice C. Kumarappan observed that the said prayer is qua the policy decision to be taken by the Government at the Centre.
“It would not be possible to issue such direction in the present matter. It is for the Government at the Centre to consider the issue”, with this observation the Bench disposed of the Petition.