The Chief Judicial Magistrate Court in Ramanathapuram has ordered the release of seven Sri Lankan fishermen who were arrested on April 6 by Thoothukudi Marine Police on a charge of poaching in Indian waters after the State government agreed to withdraw the case against them.

After the government ordered to take steps to release and repatriate the seven fishermen with their vessel ‘Kavisha Putha 03’ and the prosecution told the court that it was not interested in proceeding with the case, Judicial Magistrate K. Inbakarthik, in-charge of CJM Court, ordered their release on Wednesday.

The magistrate directed the Superintendent of Puzhal Central Prison to hand over the Lankan fishermen to the Inspector of Police, Thermal Nagar police station, Thoothukudi, with necessary protection.

He also directed the Inspector to repatriate the fishermen and hand over the vessel and other belongings of the fishermen.

The fishermen, who hailed from Puthalam and Ambakandavila areas in western Sri Lanka, were apprehended by Indian Coast Guard when they were found fishing in Indian waters off Kanniyakumari.

After they were handed over to Tharuvaikulam Marine Police, Thermal Nagar police arrested them.

The fishermen were produced before the magistrate court here on April 6 and remanded in judicial custody till April 20. The release comes a day ahead of the completion of their remand period.

Source: The Hindu

-Agencies