Live: EU envoy summoned to South block, briefed on Italy marines issue

5.42 pm: EU ambassador briefed on Italy marines issue The EU ambassador was summoned to South block and briefed on the Italy Marine standoff, reported Times Now. The channel said that EU officials in India had confirmed that the meeting had taken place, but had not given more information. Although the dispute is a bilateral one, Italy is a part of the EU. 4.01 pm: Italy must abide by the agreement it signed, says MEA Syed Akbaruddin of the Ministry of External Affairs has said that Italy has to respect the deal it signed with India on returning the Italian marines to face trial here, saying that the situation of anyone not abiding by the ruling of the highest court in the land did not arise. “We have initiated a study that reviews in a comprehensive manner all aspects of the bilateral relationship. Based on the outcome of that study and as the situation evolves, we will take a call on what to do next. It is an ongoing review”, he said. “We will take further action that is appropriate”, he added in a press interaction in New Delhi. 2.19 pm: Government will comply with SC ruling, says Khurshid The government has said it will comply with the Supreme Court order restraining the Italian Ambassador from leaving the country after Italy refused to send back marines charged with the killing of two fishermen. “We will comply with the Supreme Court order on the Italian marines issue. It is in the best interest of our country and in the best interest of our judicial system,” External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters outside Parliament House. The apex court on Thursday took exception to Italian government’s refusal to send back marines charged with the killing of two fishermen and issued the order. A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir also issued notice to the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, who were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given an assurance to send them back. The bench, also comprising justices AR Dave and Vikramajit Sen, passed the order after it was brought to its notice that the Republic of Italy has reneged on its assurance given to the apex court. Attorney General (AG) GE Vahanvati brought the issue before the bench, saying that “its a breach of undertaking given to the highest court of the land and the government is extremely concerned about it”. PTI 1.11 pm: Italy says marines don’t face charges in India CNN-IBN quoting sources in the Italian government said that the marines do not face any charges in India and the charges were quashed by the Kerala High Court. Sources say that the Supreme court had left open the option for Italy to challenge jurisdiction in a special court. 11.56 am: In historic verdict, SC restrains Italy envoy from leaving India In a historic verdict, the Supreme Court today issued notice to Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini and restrained him from leaving the country over Italy’s decision not to allow two marines who are accused of killing two Indian fishermen to come back to India. A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir also issued notice to the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, who were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given an assurance to send them back. [caption id=“attachment_660639” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  PTI[/caption] Mancini, who took responsibility for the two Italian marines when they were allowed by the Supreme Court to return to Italy for the Presidential elections, has been restrained from leaving India. As per the earlier verdict of the court, the two marines have to return to the country to face trial by 22 March. The bench, also comprising justices AR Dave and Vikramajit Sen, passed the order after it was brought to its notice that the Republic of Italy has reneged on its assurance given to the apex court. Attorney General (AG) G E Vahanvati brought the issue before the bench, saying that “its a breach of undertaking given to the highest court of the land and the government is extremely concerned about it”. After hearing the AG’s submission, the bench issued notices to the Ambassador and the two marines and asked them to file their response by 18 March. Janata Party Subramanian Swamy had also filed a petition seeking action against the Italian amabassador for contempt of court. “Based on the petition the Supeme Court has directed the government to ensure that Italian ambassador doesn’t leave the country,” Swamy told reporters outside the Supreme Court. The bench further said that if notice is not served to the marines, who are right now in Italy, then it will be served through the Italian Ambassador. The bench posted the matter for further hearing on coming Monday after the AG pleaded for an urgent hearing on this issue. The two accused marines were allowed by the apex court on 22 February to travel to Italy for four weeks under the control and custody of the Italian Ambassador, to cast their ballot in the elections scheduled there for February 24-25.