Court has ordered the release of 37 Indian fishermen who were caught poaching in Sri Lankan waters, belonging to Mandapam and Rameswaram.

Indian media reports state that the released fishermen were expected to reach Rameswaram on Saturday.

A fishermen association leader, speaking to Indian media said that the Lankan Navy detained 17 fishermen of Rameswaram in mid sea on June 29 on the charge of trespassing the IMBL.

The Indian fishermen were lodged in Anuradhapura prison after being produced before the Mannar court.

In another incident, the Sri Lankan Navy detained another group of 20 fishermen of Mandapam and Rameswaram on July 6.

They were also lodged in Anuradhapura prison after court formalities. Meanwhile, the Mannar court on Friday issued an order to release the detained 37 fishermen.

 However, the court had decided no to release the boats back to the owners. The fishermen were likely to be repatriated on Saturday, said the association leader.

Among these incidents, four Indian fishermen, who were stranded in mid sea after their boat developed a snag, were rescued by Lanka on Thursday.

The Sri Lankan government is yet to make a decision to whether let go or produce them before court.