SC asks Kerala HC not to disburse compensation to Italian boat owner following plea

Ten fishermen from Kerala have filed a plea before the Supreme Court, alleging that they too are entitled to compensation, as they had sustained injuries during a firing on the Italian fishing vessel in 2012.

A division bench of the Supreme Court on Thursday directed the Kerala High Court not to release any amount from Rs 2 crore earmarked for the Italian fishing vessel St Anthony, that killed two fishermen off Alappuzha on the Malabar coast in 2012.Justices Indira Banerjee and V Ramasubramanin were hearing a plea by ten surviving fishermen who were on the fishing vessel. They alleged that they were also eligible for compensation from the sum earmarked by the apex court for the boat owner. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta suggested that the plea should be sent to the Kerala High Court which is entrusted with the task of disbursing the compensation. Responding to the suggestion, the bench said that a notice needs to be issued to the vessel owner, Freddy, as any modification to the order would cut down his share, reports PTI.