SC lifts travel restraints on Italian envoy after marines return

The Supreme Court today lifted the travel restrictions it imposed on Italian ambassador to India preventing him from leaving the country following the return of the two marines who are accused of killing Indian fishermen.

Hearing the petition today, the Supreme Court lifted the travel sanctions imposed on the diplomat and reportedly said that it just wanted to ensure that the trial was conducted properly.

An apex court bench on 14 March had passed the order restraining Italian envoy Daniele Mancini from leaving the country after it was brought to its notice that the Republic of Italy has reneged on its assurance given to the apex court. The Italian envoy had stood guarantee for the two marines who had been permitted to go home to vote in the national elections in February.

After initially issuing a statement that the marines would not be sent back, the Italian government finally sent the two marines back to India ahead of the deadline imposed by the Supreme Court for their return.

The Italian government has challenged the Delhi High Court’s decision to allow the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Delhi to conduct the trial since it was not a special court, Times Now reported.

The Italian government has also told the apex court that it is opposed to the federal National Investigation agency taking over investigations in the case since it did not have jurisdiction, the channel reported.

The matter was originally investigated by the Kerala Police, under whose jurisdiction the murder was said to have taken place. The two marines were charged with murder and attempt to murder in the charge sheet filed by the police.

The next hearing of the case in the Supreme Court will take place on 16 April.