C.W.P. No. 19732 of 2011 1 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH C.W.P. No. 19732 of 2011 Date of decision: 22.12.2011 Ansar Burney and another ........Petitioners Versus Union of India and others ........Respondents CORAM:- HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE RANJAN GOGOI CHIEF JUSTICE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE SURYA KANT Present: Mr. Ranjan Lakhanpal, Advocate, for the petitioners Mr. Onkar Singh Batalavi, Senior Standing Counsel for the respondents RANJAN GOGOI, CJ. : (Oral) This writ petition has been filed as a Public Interest Litigation seeking a direction to the Union of India to negotiate for the release of Indian sailors who have been held in captivity by the Somali Pirates in the high seas. Furthermore, relief by way of appropriate measures to prevent such incidents in the future has also been prayed for. We are afraid that matters like the present cannot be dealt with by any known and well established judicial tool. Such matters really lie in the domain of the executive arena as it is the solemn duty of every Government to protect its citizens be it in the high seas or within the territories of the country. We are sure and confident that Government of India will do its utmost to secure the safe release of its citizens who have C.W.P. No. 19732 of 2011 2 been held in captivity in the high seas by Pirates. Beyond the above, no further direction or observation will be called for. Writ petition/Public Interest Litigation stands disposed of in terms of the above. (RANJAN GOGOI) CHIEF JUSTICE (SURYA KANT) JUDGE December 22, 2011 RSK NOTE: Whether to be referred to the Reporter or not? _____