W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 12.03.2026 CORAM: THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE N.SATHISH KUMAR and THE HONOURABLE MR.JUSTICE M.JOTHIRAMAN W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 Ruth Baby Thason ... Petitioner vs. 1.The Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (Embassy of India), Government of India, South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi – 110 011. 2.The Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, Krishi Bhavan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi – 110 001. 3.The Principal Secretary, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 1/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 4.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 5.The Ambassador, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Man in India, 5, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi – 110 000, India. 6.The Commissioner, Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.56, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai - 600035. 7.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District – 629 001. ... Respondents PRAYER : Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying for issuance of a Writ of Mandamus directing the respondents to take immediate diplomatic and administrative measures to ensure the safety, protection, rescue and evacuation of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are presently stranded in Iran due to the prevailing war conflict situation, to provide them necessary emergency assistance including food, accommodation and medical support through the Indian Mission, and 2/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 arrange for safe repatriation of Indian fishermen stranded in Iran including approximately 88 fishermen from Kadiyapattanam Village and other fishermen from Tamil Nadu. For Petitioner : Mr.W.Cleetus For Respondents : Mr.K.Govindarajan (R1 & R5) Deputy Solicitor General of India : Mr.A.Kannan (R2 to R4, R6 & R7) Additional Government Pleader ORDER (Order of the Court was made by N.SATHISH KUMAR, J.) The present Writ Petition has been filed seeking a direction to the respondents to take immediate diplomatic and administrative measures to ensure the safety, protection, rescue and evacuation of Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu who are presently stranded in Iran due to the prevailing war-conflict situation, to provide them necessary emergency assistance including food, accommodation and medical support through the Indian Mission, and to arrange for the safe repatriation of Indian fishermen stranded in Iran, including approximately 88 fishermen from Kadiyapattanam Village and other fishermen from Tamil Nadu. 3/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 2.The Writ Petition has been filed in the nature of a Public Interest Litigation stating that the petitioner’s husband is presently working in fishing vessels in Iran and is unable to return to India due to the present crisis. It is further stated that a large number of fishermen from Tamil Nadu, particularly from Kanyakumari, Tirunelveli and Thoothukudi Districts, who had travelled to Iran for the purpose of earning their livelihood through fishing activities, are presently stranded there due to the prevailing war-like situation and are facing severe hardship including lack of employment, food, security and safe means of returning to India. In this regard, the petitioner submitted a representation dated 09.03.2026 to the authorities concerned. Since no action has been taken so far, the present Writ Petition has been filed. 3.Mr.K.Govindarajan, learned Deputy Solicitor General of India appearing for respondents 1 and 5, on instructions, submitted that advisories had already been issued on 05.01.2026 and 14.01.2026. Further, on 4/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 23.02.2026, an advisory was issued advising Indians presently in Iran to leave the country using available transport including commercial flights. However, the said advisories were not followed. 4.The learned Deputy Solicitor General of India further submitted that all Indians in Iran can contact the helplines of the Indian Embassy, the details of which are as follows: “Mobile Numbers: +989128109115; +989128109109 +989128109102; +989932179359 Email: cons.tehran@mea.gov.in” 5.It is further submitted that the Embassy is extending assistance to Indians stranded there, wherever possible. However, evacuation may not be feasible till 14.03.2026 as all airports have presently been closed due to the prevailing situation. Once the situation normalises and air services resume, necessary steps will be taken for rescue and evacuation. It is also 5/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 submitted that the Government of India is continuously monitoring the situation. 6.In such circumstances, the Associations or any Indians stranded in Iran may contact the helpline numbers and email provided by the Central Government and the Indian Embassy. The Embassy shall extend assistance to the stranded persons as far as possible and take appropriate steps for their rescue once the situation becomes normal. 7.With the above observations, this Writ Petition is closed. There shall be no order as to costs. [N.S.K.,J.] [M.J.R.,J.] 12.03.2026 NCC : Yes / No Index : Yes / No Internet : Yes ps To 1.The Foreign Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs (Embassy of India), Government of India, South Block, Raisina Hill, New Delhi – 110 011. 6/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 2.The Secretary, Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Government of India, Krishi Bhavan, Dr.Rajendra Prasad Road, New Delhi – 110 001. 3.The Principal Secretary, Department of Fisheries and Fishermen Welfare, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 4.The Chief Secretary, Government of Tamil Nadu, Secretariat, Fort St. George, Chennai – 600 009. 5.The Ambassador, Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Man in India, 5, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi – 110 000, India. 6.The Commissioner, Commissionerate of Rehabilitation and Welfare of Non-Resident Tamils, Government of Tamil Nadu, No.56, Anna Salai, Nandanam, Chennai - 600035. 7.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, Collectorate, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District – 629 001. 7/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 N.SATHISH KUMAR , J. and M.JOTHIRAMAN , J. ps ORDER MADE IN W.P(MD)No.6803 of 2026 DATED : 12.03.2026 8/8 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis