Katchatheevu row: India SC urges fishermen to avoid Sri Lankan waters

On Tuesday, India's Supreme Court heard petitions challenging the "unconstitutional ceding" of Katchatheevu island to Sri Lanka. The court's bench of Justices Sanjay Kumar and Sanjeev Sachdeva adjourned the hearing to February 2027 after Attorney General R Venkataramani stated that the government was aware of the issues and would implement necessary measures.

Justice Kumar questioned the Attorney General about their stance on the 1974 and 1976 Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime Agreements, to which he responded that the government had initially entered into the treaty but dropped it at a later point. He also mentioned that India did not wish to jeopardize its cordial relationship with Sri Lanka.

Regarding the behavior of Indian Tamil fishermen, the Attorney General explained that marine pollution had led to a scarcity of fish on Indian shores, prompting them to venture into Sri Lankan waters despite the advice not to. However, AAG Haripriya countered that it was the responsibility of the central government to resolve the matter with Sri Lanka, citing Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay's recent letter to the center urging the release of 20 fishermen held in custody in Sri Lanka.

Senior Advocate P Wilson suggested that an amendment to Schedule I of the Constitution was required to ratify the agreement. Throughout the proceedings, Justice Kumar emphasized the need to address the arrests and ensure that fishermen were "sensitised against venturing beyond a specific point" into Sri Lankan waters.