Madras High Court
J.Brinso Raymond vs The Union Of India on 3 February, 2026
Author: G.Jayachandran
Bench: G.Jayachandran
W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT
DATED : 03.02.2026
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE DR.JUSTICE G.JAYACHANDRAN
and
THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN
W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
and
W.M.P.(MD) Nos.2409 & 2412 of 2026
J.Brinso Raymond ... Petitioner
-vs-
1.The Union of India
rep.by its Principal Foreign Secretary
Ministry of External Affairs
E-Block, Central Secretariat
New Delhi
2.The District Collector
Ramanathapuram District
Ramanathapuram
3.The Commissioner of Fisheries
Administrative Office Building
Thenampet, Chennai-06
4.The Assistant Director of Fisheries
Fisheries Department
Olaikuda Post
Rameswaram Taluk
Ramanathapuram
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W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
5.The Thasildhar
Rameswaram
Ramanathapuram District
6.Co-ordinator
Vercode Saint Soochaiappar Church
Vercode, Rameswaram ... Respondents
PRAYER: Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, to issue
a writ of certiorarified mandamus calling for records relating to the impugned
proceedings of the 1st respondent in COLREV/2522/2025-C4 dated
12.03.2025 and the consequential impugned order passed by the 4th
respondent in Na.Ka.No.2762/E/2024 dated 06.06.2025 and quash the same
as illegal and consequently direct the respondents to provide protection and
permission to the traditional fisherman to visits as pilgrims from Tamil Nadu
to Katchatheevu through their Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic Motorized Vallam
within the period that may be stipulated by this Court.
For Petitioner : Mr.M.Jerin Mathew
For Respondents : Mr.K.Govindarajan
Deputy Solicitor General of India for R1
Mr.P.Thilakkumar
Government Pleader for R2 to R5
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W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
ORDER
[Order of the Court was made by DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.] The present public interest litigation is filed seeking issuance of a writ of certiorarified mandamus to call for the records pertaining to the proceedings of the District Collector, Ramanathapuram, dated 12.03.2025 and the consequential proceedings issued by the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Department, dated 06.06.2025, declining the request of the petitioner to travel in the fibre boat to Katchatheevu during the annual festival of St.Anthoniyar Church, and to quash the same
2. Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the traditional fishermen of Olaikuda Village used to visit Katchatheevu during the festival of St.Anthoniyar Church by using their boats and catamarans. Due to change in the political scenario, travel to Katchatheevu is restricted. In the said circumstances, a representation was made to permit the traditional fishermen to visit Katchatheevu by using their fibre boats. The said request has been declined by the respondents by the impugned proceedings citing risk factor. ____________ Page 3 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/02/2026 01:12:33 pm ) W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
3. Citing the order of the Division Bench of this Court dated 22.02.2018 in W.P.(MD) No.3308 of 2018 etc., batch, wherein, this Court has recognized the right of the fishermen to visit Katchatheevu during the festival of St.Anthoniyar Church, without travel documents or visas from the Government of Srilanka and the suggestion to the Government to use mechanised fishing vessel to ferry passengers in future, learned counsel for the petitioner would emphasise that until the Government makes alternative arrangements to engage ferry passenger vessels for the transportation of pilgrims, the traditional fishermen must be allowed to use their fibre boats fitted with motor engines to visit Katchatheevu.
4. On perusal of the impugned proceedings as well as the earlier order passed by this Court, we find that permission to use country boats or fibre boats by the individuals to visit Katchatheevu during the festival of St.Anthoniyar Church has never been entertained by the Court or by the Government. Taking into consideration the security of the individuals, travel to Katchatheevu has been regulated by the Government and there cannot be any deviation or exception to the said regulations. The suggestion of this Court made earlier to the Government for using the mechanised fishing vessel ____________ Page 4 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/02/2026 01:12:33 pm ) W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026 to ferry passengers is only a suggestion and not a mandate. It is upto the Government to consider the said suggestion and to implement it. As observed in the impugned proceedings, the concern for the safety of passengers travelling in fibre boats, which are not meant for ferrying passengers, is well- meant and reasonable. Therefore, the request of the petitioner to permit him to use fibre boat for transporting passengers to Katchatheevu is not permissible. Therefore, the impugned proceedings of the District Collector, Ramanathapuram, dated 12.03.2025 and the consequential proceedings issued by the Assistant Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Department, dated 06.06.2025, are upheld.
5. In the result, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petitions are closed.
[G.J., J.] [K.K.R.K., J.]
03.02.2026
NCC : Yes / No
Index : Yes / No
Internet : Yes / No
krk
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W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026
To:
1.The Principal Foreign Secretary,
Ministry of External Affairs,
Union of India,
E-Block, Central Secretariat,
New Delhi.
2.The District Collector,
Ramanathapuram District,
Ramanathapuram.
3.The Commissioner of Fisheries,
Administrative Office Building,
Thenampet, Chennai-06.
4.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Fisheries Department, Olaikuda Post, Rameswaram Taluk, Ramanathapuram.
5.The Thasildhar, Rameswaram, Ramanathapuram District.
____________ Page 6 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/02/2026 01:12:33 pm ) W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026 DR.G.JAYACHANDRAN, J.
AND K.K.RAMAKRISHNAN, J.
krk W.P.(MD) No.2926 of 2026 and W.M.P.(MD) Nos.2409 & 2412 of 2026 03.02.2026 ____________ Page 7 of 7 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 06/02/2026 01:12:33 pm )