Supreme Court To Pass Orders On Closing Italian Marines' Case On June 15

Italian Marines Case: In February 2012, India charged the two marines on board the MV Enrica Lexie -- an Italian flagged oil tanker - of killing two Indian fishermen who were on a fishing vessel in India's Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The Supreme Court said it would pass orders on June 15 on closure of proceedings in India against two Italian marines, accused of killing two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, and the disbursal of Rs 10 crore compensation to the heirs of the victims. Referring to the international arbitral award and the terms of the agreement among India, Italy and the Kerala government, a vacation bench comprising justices Indira Banerjee and MR Shah said the case against marines Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone for the offences would be now pursued by Italy there. As per the scheme on disbursal of compensation, the top court was informed by the Kerala government that Rs 4 core each would be given to the heirs of two fishermen who were killed and the remaining Rs 2 core would be paid to the owner of the fishing vessel St. Antony on which the two were shot dead. Keeping the plea of the Centre seeking closure of the case here pending for orders on Tuesday, the bench said it was of the view that the compensation money be transferred to the Kerala high court for disbursal and ensuring that the amount does not fritter away.