Stranded at Sea: Tamilnadu fishermen fined for illegal entry into Indian waters

Udupi – In a dramatic turn of events rooted in desperation and survival, three fishermen from Tamil Nadu have been found guilty and fined for illegally entering Indian territorial waters aboard an Omani vessel. The incident occurred on February 24, 2025, when a patrol team led by Chief Officer Sukhwinder Singh of the Mangaluru Coast Guard intercepted the vessel off the Indian coast. The trio - James Franklin, Robinston, and Tiros alias Diroz - had travelled to Oman for fishing jobs, but financial hardship and withheld passports by their Omani employer left them stranded.

With no legal means to return home, the men crossed into Indian waters without valid documents, prompting swift legal action. A case was filed by Inspector Lokesh A C of Malpe coastal security police, and a detailed probe led by PSI Shivashankar involved testimony from 33 witnesses. The court, after confirming violations under the Foreigners Order, 1950, and the Foreigners Act, 1981, imposed fines - Rs 10,000 each on the first two accused and Rs 60,000 on the third - totalling Rs 80,000. The case underscores the vulnerabilities of migrant fishermen and the legal consequences of unauthorized entry.