Centre moves SC for disposal of case against Italian marines

The Central Government has requested the Supreme Court to dispose of a case involving the killing of two Kerala fishermen by Italian marines in 2012. The Permanent Court of Arbitration observed that the two marines had immunity and would not face any trial in India but in Italy instead.

New Delhi: The Central Government filed an intervening application in the Supreme Court today seeking to dispose of a plea pertaining to the shooting of two Kerala fishermen by Italian marines in 2012. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta appearing for the centre mentioned the matter before the Chief Justice of India SA Bobde-led bench.

Solicitor General Mehta said that the matter is urgent as the government of Italy is involved. He also added that the matter is settled now as adequate compensation was paid to the kin of the deceased as directed last time. SG suggested that the matter needs to disposed of now and requested for early hearing. The court will hear the matter again for disposal on April 9.

On 15 February 2012, Italian marines aboard MV Enrica Lexie had shot two fishermen of Kerala, mistaking them to be pirates.

The matter was consulted by the Permanent Court of Arbitration which observed that the two marines had immunity and would not face any trial in India but in Italy instead. The Italian government had defended its marines by saying that they were carrying out their official duty.

Though the arbitration gave orders in Italy's favour, it held that India was entitled to compensation for loss of life, physical harm and damaged property.

The matter was also going on in Supreme Court here wherein the court had refused to allow the Centre to withdraw its plea against the marines. It had observed that families of the victims need to be heard first and adequate compensation needs to be paid.

Italy had assured India that the two marines will be prosecuted and compensation will be given to the victim's families. After this assurance, the centre had moved to the apex court to withdraw the case.