Udupi — Three Indian fishermen from Tamil Nadu, who entered Indian territorial waters aboard an Omani fishing vessel without legal documentation, have been found guilty and penalised by a local court.
The incident occurred on February 24, 2025, during a routine patrol by the Mangaluru Coast Guard. Chief Officer Sukhwinder Singh and his team intercepted the foreign vessel and detained three individuals found onboard. A complaint was promptly lodged, and Malpe Coastal Security Police registered a case under the supervision of Inspector Lokesh A C.
The accused — James Franklin, Robinston, and Tiros (also known as Diroz) — had previously travelled to Oman for fishing jobs. However, investigations revealed they were left stranded due to unpaid wages and alleged confiscation of their passports by their Omani employer, Abdullah, who owned the vessel.
Unable to return home legally, the trio crossed into Indian waters without valid documents. A thorough probe led by PSI Shivashankar and senior officers involved statements from 33 witnesses. The inquiry confirmed that the accused violated provisions under Section 6(a) of the Foreigners Order, 1950, and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, 1981.
In a ruling delivered by the principal senior civil judge and CJM, James Franklin and Robinston were fined ₹10,000 each, while Tiros was fined ₹60,000, bringing the total penalty to ₹80,000.
The case highlights the growing challenges faced by migrant labourers caught between international employment exploitation and border law violations.