New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday has asked the owners of the fishing boat St Antony, which was attacked in the sea by Italian marines in 2012, to file a response to the plea by seven crew members who have sought compensation out of the Rs. 2 crore that was deposited by the Republic of Italy as redressal.
While hearing an application filed by the seven fishermen who were on board of St Antony, the court gave three weeks time to the respondents to file a response to the plea. Two fishermen onboard St Antony were shot dead by two marines of Enrica Lexie — a tanker — after it mistook the fishing vessel for a pirate boat on February 15, 2012.
Last year, the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) under the United Nations Convention of Law of Seas had ruled that India was entitled to claim compensation from Italy, however, it added that has no jurisdiction to launch criminal prosecution against the Marines since the duo is covered by sovereign immunity. Later, the Union Government accepted an award by the International Tribunal and sought the Supreme Court to quash the case against the two Italians.
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More recently, the court had asked the Kerala High Court to not disburse the amount of Rs 2 crores.
Advocate Karthik, who appeared for the respondent boat owner, sought time to file a reply as directed by the top court on Monday.
"I need some time. An application has been filed by the crew members and a statement has been filed by the State of Kerala. I seek time to file my reply on the statement filed by the State of Kerala as well as the application," Karthik pleaded.
Following which the court directed the respondents to file pertinent documents related to the response within three weeks.
Also Read: Italian marines case: SC asks Kerala HC not to disburse compensation to fishing vessel owner
