Pathrose v. Secretary To Government
BEFORE THE MADURAI BENCH OF MADRAS HIGH COURT DATED : 19.11.2025
CORAM:
THE HONOURABLE MS.JUSTICE P.T.ASHA Pathrose .. Petitioner Vs.
1.Secretary to Government, Rep by the Fisheries and Dairying Department, Fort St.George, Chennai -9.
2.The Director, Directorate of Fisheries, 3rd Floor, Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Building, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.
3.The Assistant Director, Tamil Nadu Fishermen Welfare Board, 4th Floor, Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Building, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 006.
4.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, at Nagercoil.
5.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Distillery Road, Vadaseri, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
6.The National Federation of Fishermen Co-Op. Ltd., Rep.by its Managing Director, No.7, Sarita Vihar Institutional Area, New Delhi 110 076.
.. Respondents (R6 is suo motu impleaded vide Court order dated 13.01.2020) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India, praying for issuance of Writ of Mandamus, directing the respondents herein to disburse the benefits due under the welfare fund scheme to the missing fisherman family (i.e.) the petitioner's son namely Remigius by considering the petitioner's representation to the respondents dated 09-02-2018, within a stipulated period as fixed by this Court. For Petitioner : Mr.K.Vamanan For R1 - R5 : Mr.D.Sasikumar Additional Government Pleader
ORDER
This writ petition has been filed for the following relief : "directing the respondents herein to disburse the benefits due under the welfare fund scheme to the missing fisherman family (i.e.) the petitioner's son namely Remigius by considering the petitioner's representation to the respondents dated 09-02-2018, within a stipulated period as fixed by this Court."
2. The case of the petitioner is that one of his sons, namely Remgius and 3 others went fishing on 21.12.2003 and did not return. A criminal case has been registered in Crime No.690 of 2003, dated 23.12.2003 and the same has been closed as untraceable and action has been dropped. In case of a registered fisherman during fishing, the Tamil Nadu Government had announced Rs.2 Lakhs as solatium. The petitioner's son has registered with the 4th respondent. Therefore, the petitioner has requested the respondents to disburse the solatium and has also submitted all necessary documents to the 2nd respondent. The petitioner has also sent a detailed representation on 09.02.2018. Since the same was not considered, the petitioner is before this Court.
3. Heard the learned counsels on either side.
4. Without going into the merits of the case, this Court directs the 2nd respondent to consider the representation of the petitioner, dated 09.02.2018 and pass orders, in accordance with law. In the event of any clarification, the 2nd respondent shall issue notice to the petitioner, obtain
his clarification and thereafter pass orders. The said exercise shall be completed within a period of three (3) months from the date of receipt of copy of this order.
5. With the above directions, this Writ Petitions stands disposed of. No costs.
19.11.2025 NCC : Yes/No Index : Yes/No Internet : Yes gbg To 1.Secretary to Government, Rep by the Fisheries and Dairying Department, Fort St.George, Chennai -9.
2.The Director, Directorate of Fisheries, 3rd Floor, Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Building, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 035.
3.The Assistant Director, Tamil Nadu Fishermen Welfare Board, 4th Floor, Integrated Animal Husbandry and Fisheries Building, Nandanam, Chennai - 600 006.
4.The District Collector, Kanyakumari District, at Nagercoil.
5.The Assistant Director of Fisheries, Distillery Road, Vadaseri, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari District.
P.T.ASHA, J.
gbg 19.11.2025