Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Thursday refuted reports that the High Court granted bail with stringent conditions to two Italian marines charged with shooting down of two Indian fishermen as the state government had not opposed the plea.
In fact the government had sternly opposed the bail plea and had told the court that they might not be available for trial if they were released on bail, Chandy told reporters after a special cabinet meeting.
"Indian court is free and fair. The court granted them bail with stringent conditions," Chandy said and denied reports that government had virtually took a U-turn in the case.
Despite pressure from the Italian government, the state government did the maximum it could do in the case and Centre fully supported the state`s position, Chandy added.
The marines, Latore Massimilliano and Salvatore Grone, arrested from the Italian vessel `Enrica Lexie` on February 19 for shooting down two fishermen off Kerala coast on February 15, were granted bail with stringent conditions on Wednesday.
PTI
