The Supreme Court has ordered for closure on all proceedings related to two Italian Marines, Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre accused of killing of two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012.
Girone and Latorre, who were part of the Italian ship ‘Enrica Lexie’, had allegedly shot the fishermen mistaking them for ‘pirates’.
A Bench consisting of Justices, Indira Banerjee and MR Shah passed the order after the Centre informed the Court that the Republic of Italy has paid Rs. 10 Crore as compensation for killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast, and the amount has been deposited with the registry of the Supreme Court.
“We are satisfied with the compensation and the ex-gratia paid over and above earlier. This is a fit case to close all proceedings in India under Article 142 of the Constitution,” the Court stated.
Eight months ago, the Centre had informed the SC about its decision to “accept and abide” by the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) which stated that the Marines, should be tried in Italy.
According to Bar and Bench, the PCA had ruled that the marines cannot be tried in India since they had immunity as they Italian state officials when the incident occurred.The PCA had maintained however, that India is entitled to compensation for the loss of life since its freedom and right of navigation was violated by the Marines.
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