Govt ignored SC order on spl court

Almost two months after the Supreme Court ruled that Kerala had no jurisdiction to try two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen, the Centre has not acted upon the court's direction to set up a special court to decide if India had jurisdiction in the matter.

Almost two months after the Supreme Court ruled that Kerala had no jurisdiction to try two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fishermen, the Centre has not acted upon the court's direction to set up a special court to decide if India had jurisdiction in the matter.

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A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India had asked the Centre to set up a special court to decide the marines' contention that India did not have jurisdiction to try them.

While dismissing Italy's plea to quash all criminal proceedings against the two Italian marines Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, the bench had said the two marines would be shifted to Delhi and will be considered to be under the custody of the SC till the Centre constituted the special court.

On February 22, while allowing the marines to go to Italy to caste votes, the SC questioned the delay.

"Why is the Centre dragging its feet? If the court would have been set up, the trial in the case could have been over. Why is it late? It would have by now decided whether they (marines) are guilty or not," a bench headed by CJI Kabir had said.