Supreme Court closes case against Italian marines who shot dead 2 Indian fishermen in 2012
Terming the Rs 10 crore compensation paid by Italy over and above the amount already made as reasonable and adequate, the Apex court directed that the compensation be transferred to the Kerala High Court.
FollowA Supreme Court vacation bench comprising Justices Indira Banerjee and M R Shah ended proceedings against the two Italian marines Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, and that Italy should resume further investigation in the case.
Terming the Rs 10 crore compensation paid by Italy over and above the amount already made as reasonable and adequate, the Apex court directed that the compensation be transferred to the Kerala High Court.
The Kerala High Court has been directed to nominate a judge to ensure that the compensation is not misappropriated.
The two Indian fishermen who were returning from Lakshadweep islands onboard fishing vessel St Antony was shot dead by the two Italian marines onboard oil tanker 'Enrica Lexie'.
The incident took place around 20 nautical miles off the Kerala coast. The Indian Coast Guard intercepted 'Enrica Lexie' and detained the two Italian marines.
In April, the Centre had informed the Supreme Court that the kin of the deceased fishermen had been adequately compensated. The families accepted compensation of Rs 4 crore each besides Rs 2 crore already paid by the Italian government. The injured owner of the fishing boat also received damages of Rs 2 crore.
Last year, the Permanent Court of Arbitration at The Hague ruled in favour of Italy and said that India had no jurisdiction to carry out criminal proceedings against the Italian marines. The Tribunal also directed Italy to compensate the victims' families.
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