Face probe in India, SC tells Italian marines

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi, December 16

The Supreme Court today directed the two Italian marines, accused of shooting down two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast on February 15, 2012, to face investigation and trial, instead of pleading for frequent visits to their country and extensions of their stay at home.

A Bench headed by Chief Justice HL Dattu made the remark while hearing the plea of Massimilano Lattorre for extending his stay for four more months from January 13, the deadline for his return, to enable him to undergo a heart surgery on February 8. Another accused, Salvatore Girone, pleaded for letting him go home to celebrate Christmas and the New Year.

The SC noted that the trial was yet to commence as the investigation was still on despite the fact that the incident had taken place nearly three years ago. Following the court’s refusal, the marines withdrew their pleas.

Appearing for the marines, senior advocate Soli Sorabjee pleaded for relief for Lattorre on humanitarian grounds. The SC had allowed him to go back to Italy after he suffered a stroke on August 31. Pointing out that they were facing charges of committing a heinous crime, the Bench said the families of the victims were opposed to granting them any relief and that the court could not ignore this aspect. The marines have pleaded that they had mistaken the fishermen for sea pirates.