Kochi: Kerala Government on Wednesday opposed in the High Court a petition by owners of Italian ship `Enrica Lexie`, seeking release of the ship detained off Kochi coast in connection with the case of killing of two Indian fishermen allegedly by marines aboard the ship last month.
The Assistant Solicitor General for the Centre, however,
said the Centre had no objection in releasing the ship.
When the plea came up, Advocate General K P Dandapani
informed the court that the ship should not be released till
the reports of the Forensic Laboratory tests concerning the
case were received.
The Advocate General said the reports of the Forensic
tests of firearms seized from the ship were awaited.
Justice P S Gopinathan adjourned the case to Thursday for
further consideration.
Family members of the deceased fishermen opposed moving of
the vessel and its master, arguing that if the captain moved
out with the ship, it could adversely affect their case.
The dependents of the deceased had claimed Rs three crore
as compensation.
Marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been
arrested and charged with murder for allegedly gunning down
the two fishermen on Feb 15 off Kollam coast after suspecting
them to be pirates.
The case is being investigated by a special investigation
team led by the Kochi police commissioner.
PTI
