Last week, the Supreme Court rejected the application filed by the Italian marines who were accused for firing two fishermen at the coasts of Kerala. The plea was raised by Massimiliano Latorre for the purpose of extending his stay in the home country for treatment. The other marine asked the permission of the Court to travel to Italy for Christmas. But the Court rejected their prayer and hence they had to take out the application. The trial of the case had not yet started and the charge sheet of the matter was not submitted. The Court headed by Chief Justice H L Dattu pointed out that such a practice never happens in the world and therefore sorry to allow the plea.
On the part of the Italian marines, Advocate Soli Sorabjee and K T S Tulsi appeared before the Court who submitted that the Solicitor General for the Government does not have any objection to send the accused to their native land. But the Court said that it is agreed that the Solicitor General don’t have any objection but the Court needs the system to be carried on. Justice M B Lokur and Justice A K Sikri pointed out that for filing the charge sheet the accused have to be present in India. The advocate for the accused brought to the notice of the Court that Lattore have to undergo heart surgery in Italy on 8th January, 2015 and for that reason requested the Court to grant permission for his stay in Italy for a further period of two months. But the Court did not permit the request and asked the Italians to come back to India soon. The applications were finally withdrawn by the advocate fort he accused.
Salvatore Girone wants to travel to Italy for Christmas and previously on last September he was permitted by the Apex Court to go to home state for some treatment for a period of four months. The Italian marines were accused of firing and killing two fishermen at the sea coasts in Kerala on board ship Enrica Lexie on 15th February 2012.