A division bench of Justices Vinod Kumar Sharma and A Selvam also dismissed a petition seeking to provide legal assistance for five fishermen who were taken into custody by Sri Lankan Navy and secure their release.
The judges wondered how the court could give direction for legal assistance in another country. They suggested that the lawyer of the petitioner could approach some human rights advocates in Sri Lanka for help, or approach some NGO.
When Tamil Nadu government pleader Pugazhendhi pointed out that the state government had given Rs two lakh to the Indian High Commission to engage a lawyer and get their release, the judges recorded the submission and told the counsel for the petitioner that government had already made arrangements for providing legal assistance.
The government was also giving Rs 250 per day for the families of the fishermen to meet their daily expenses.
Disposing of another writ plea seeking a direction to take action against fishermen using banned fishing nets and high-power mechanised boats, the judges said they could not deal with such allegations unless they were given specific particulars for action by Fisheries department.
The petition had been filed in the interest of country boat fishermen.
Responding to the court's direction to file a fresh affidavit on the steps to be taken to protect Indian fishermen, Coast Guard DIG S K Verghese said additional measures could be taken to safeguard them. (More)
