Why can’t helicopters be used for sea drowning rescue operations, asks Madras High Court

CHENNAI The Madras High Court has questioned why helicopters cannot be pressed into service for drowning rescue operations at the Marina and other beaches spread along the East Coast in Chennai and Chengalpattu districts as well as the coastal zones in other districts. Justices A.D. Jagadish Chandira and Justice B.

Karthikeyan raised the query during the hearing of a habeas corpus petition filed by K. Gopal of Madhavaram in Chennai. The petitioner’s 17-year-old son G.

Santhosh had gone for swimming in the Marina on July 5, 2026 but had not returned since then. Impressing upon the need for the Central as well as State agencies to work in coordination in the operations to rescue those who get swept away by high tides, the judges suo motu impleaded the Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) headed by the Director General of Indian Coast Guard. They requested Additional Solicitor General AR.L.