As many as 26 Indian fishermen died in Pakistan’s jails India during the last ten years, according to information received under the Right to Information Act (RTI).

In a reply to an RTI query sought by Mumbai-based journalist-peace activist Jatin Desai, the High Commission of India in Islamabad said that 24 Indian fishermen died in Pakistan’s custody between January 2014 and December 2023. Of the 24 deaths, two deaths were reported during 2024.

Of the two fishermen who died during the current year, Vinod Laxman from Dahanu taluka of Palghar district, Maharashtra, passed away on March 17 and his mortal remains reached his village on 1 May.

Suresh Nathu died on 5 September 5.  Nathu’s family members and friends are waiting for his mortal remains. “Pakistan must repatriate his mortal remains without further delay urgently,” Desai said.

As of today, 210 Indian fishermen have been languishing in Pakistan’s jails for crossing the water border ‘inadvertently’.

“Of them, around 180 Indian fishermen have completed their sentences and their nationality was also verified long ago,” Desai said. 

The section (V) of the bilateral Agreement on Consular Access, 2008, states: “Both Governments agree to release and repatriate persons within one month of confirmation of their national status and completion of sentences.”

“It means around 180 Indian fishermen should have been released and repatriated by Pakistan long ago…. Of them, 52 Indian fishermen have been in Pakistan’s jails for more than over three years now.

Another 130 Indian fishermen have been behind the bars in Pakistan for more than two years. Ten Indian fishermen have not been keeping well,” Desai said.