The Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) Court in India has given approval for the release of five Sri Lankan fishing boats, the Hindu newspaper reported. They were impounded by the Marine Police after the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) had apprehended 26 Lankan fishermen with their boats in May and September last year.
When the Inspectors of Police of Thermal Nagar and Tharuvaikulam Marine Police in Tuticorin appealed to the court seeking release of the boats, CJM T. Jayarajan said the case was no longer pending before the court and the properties (boats) might be released as per government letter.
As the government had withdrawn the case, the boats were not remanded and the accused (Lankan fishermen) had already been released, the CJM said. However, the “properties may be released as per government letter and a (compliance) report may be furnished to this court,” the CJM said.
