Kochi: The Kerala government on Thursday informed the
High Court it has the power to register a case against the two
Italian marines, who allegedly shot dead two Indian fishermen
off the Kerala coast on February 15 and initiate investigation
against them.
Advocate General KP Dandapani contended that the government
could do so as per the Maritime Navigation Act on suppression
of unlawful acts of violence.
The government also opposed the plea of the petitioners --
Italian Consular General and marines Latore Massimiliano and
Salvatore Gironi Latore -- to quash the FIR against them.
Justice P S Gopinathan, before whom the petition came up,
posted the case for further hearing to Mar 19.
Government also objected to the Admirality suite filed by
the owners of `Enrica Lexie`, praying that it be allowed to
leave Kochi port, saying the vessel cannot be permitted to
leave Kerala waters at this stage when investigation had not
been completed.
The marines had been arrested and charged with murder for
allegedly gunning down the two fishermen off Kollam coast
after suspecting them to be pirates.
PTI
