Notice ordered on plea to bring fisherman’s body

A division bench comprising Justice Rajiv Shakdher and Justice N Satish Kumar before whom the habeas corpus petition filed by A Justin of Francis Nagar in Pamban came up for hearing on Tuesday, ordered notice to the Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs and State Home Department returnable on Friday (December 22). 

The petitioner had submitted that his son J Brain Ignatius (24) was employed as a contract fishing labourer in a private company in Saudi Arabia. 

When Ignatius and others were fishing on November 30 near Jubail coast, their boat was hit by an oil vessel. While four other fishermen were rescued, his son was missing. 

However, his body was found on December 4. Pointing out that though he had sent a representation through an association ‘Paravan Nala Peravai’ on December 1 itself seeking diplomatic steps to rescue the fishermen, the petitioner further noted that he had sent a representation to the authorities concerned to send the body of Ignatius, on December 16. 

As there was no response, he filed the present petition for a direction to the authorities to send the mortal remains of his son back to him, he added.