The Madurai branch of the Madras High Court directed the Ministry of External Affairs to file a report on who will investigate the death of Tamil fisherman Britjo, who was killed in the waters between India and Sri Lanka, India Today reported. 

It has been alleged that Britjo was killed after being fired upon by the Sri Lankan Navy.

A Public Interest Litigation was filed by a person named D. Raju to find out who shot Britjo.

The plea said, "It has become a frequent affair for Sri Lanka to harass Indian fishermen fishing in Indian waters. The Centre has not taken any measures to prevent this. The Supreme Court has ordered to provide adequate security to Indian fishermen and yet no protection is given. Till now 600 Indian fishermen have been shot dead by Sri Lankan navy." 

"The Centre takes the issue softly when Sri Lanka is involved. A few years ago, when two Italian Marines shot two fishermen, Kerala police arrested them and Italian government paid a solarium of Rs 1 crore to the victims' family. But to Britjo'a family, the state has paid only Rs 5 lakh rupees," the PIL further said.

Hearing the plea, judges Selvam and Adinathan directed the Ministry of External Affairs to file a report on who will conduct the investigation and adjourned the case to April 11.

Sri Lanka still maintains that its navy was not involved in the incident as the force has been strictly ordered not to fire at suspected poachers.

Britjo was killed on March 6 and his body was brought to Rameswaram where a bullet was removed from his neck.