Kochi: The Kerala High Court Thursday ruled that the two Italian Marines charged with the killing of two Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala in February can be allowed to go home for Christmas. The court had caveats too: the marines could be allowed to go provided they return latest by 3 pm, January 10, 2013, and the Indian government allows them to go. A bank guarantee of Rs 6 crore should also be furnished.
The court ruled that the Indian government should agree to allow them to return to Italy for Christmas, and see that the Italian government offered an assurance that the two would return. The Kerala government had strongly opposed any sort of relaxation, allowing the two to leave Kochi. The state government had said that there was no guarantee that once they reach Italy, the two will return after Christmas to stand trial in India.
Wednesday, while the counsel of the centre said that the court can decide on what needs to be done, the Italian foreign affairs department had said it would ensure that the marines are brought back after Christmas.
CPI-M politburo member MA Baby expressed surprise at the stance taken by the centre. "Everyone knows that these two marines are murderers. Time will tell if there was any conspiracy behind what has happened now. Just look at what is happening to Abdul Nasir Maudany (Muslim political leader from Kerala who has spent a decade in jail without being convicted)
03:42 PM, Dec 20, 2012
