IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CIVIL APPELLATE JURISDICTION PUBLIC INTEREST LITIGATION NO.248 OF 2009 Nazim Abdul Hamid Mulla ... Petitioner Versus State of Maharashtra and others. ... Respondents Mr. Rakesh Bhatkar for the petitioner. Mr. R.P. Behere, Additional Government Pleader for the Respondent Nos. 1 to 4. Ms. Gauri Godse with Mr. Ashok Verma for the respondent Nos.5 and 6. CORAM : J.N. PATEL, ACTING C.J. & A.A. SAYED, J. DATED : 19TH DECEMBER, 2009 P.C. Heard. 2. The petitioner has filed this Public Interest Litigation in the matter of seeking directions against the State of Maharashtra and other authority concerned with coastal zone to search the missing fishermen and provide aid to fishermen. It is the case of the petitioner that respondents be directed to search missing fishermen within 70 nautical miles by taking help of the Helicopter and logistic support required for carrying out the rescue operation. It is further submitted that the respondents should be directed to take search of missing fishermen to the extent of 80­90 nautical in Arabian Sea and provide aid to the survivors. 2. After this petition was heard, the court has issued notice to the respondents and in response thereto, the Collector of Ratnagiri has filed his reply so also the authorities including respondent No.5 and this court on 25th November, 2009 and 26th November, 2009 had passed interim order directing the authorities to carry out rescue operation and the petitioner was specifically directed to furnish any information which is available with him to the learned counsel for the respondents, so that necessary steps can be taken. From the affidavit in reply filed by the Collector on behalf of the respondent Nos.1 to 4 and respondent No.5, it is clear that the authorities are doing their best in the matter of conducting the massive search with the available facilities like Coast Guard Ships and Aircrafts in the affected area and to keep a sharp lookout for any survivors to render all possible assistance. 3. The grievance of the petitioner is that this is not sufficient. The learned counsel for the petitioner submits that after this petition was filed, no person has been rescued and the authorities have discontinued the rescue operation. It was also pointed out to this court that one vessel abandoned on the high seas (of which photographs were also placed on record and the same was brought to the notice of the Fisheries Department) has not been retrieved. 4. In view of the fact that the authorities have specifically stated in their response to the Public Interest Litigation that they have not discontinued any rescue operation and they continued to maintain vigilance, no further orders are required to pass in this Public Interest Litigation. 5. We, therefore, dispose of this Public Interest Litigation with the direction to the petitioner and all concerned that if they receive any credible information which require any rescue operation or even for locating any ship/vessel in the high seas or persons, they should inform the Collector as well as respondent No.5 who shall immediately take steps to carry out necessary operation to retrieve any vessel or rescue any person (dead or alive). Petition stands disposed of accordingly. ACTING CHIEF JUSTICE A.A. SAYED, J.