Ailing marine may go to Italy for treatment

The SC on Monday asked the Centre if it had any objection to a plea by one of the two Italian marines, facing murder charges in India for killing two Kerala fishermen, to go back to Italy for medical treatment for two months.

The Supreme Court on Monday asked the Centre if it had any objection to a plea by one of the two Italian marines, facing murder charges in India for killing two Kerala fishermen, to go back to Italy for medical treatment for two months.

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Massimiliano Latorre suffered brain stroke on August 31 and was discharged from Ganga Ram Hospital on Sunday.

Senior advocate KTS Tulsi told a bench headed by Chief Justice of India RM Lodha that Latorre was depressed and wanted to be with his family.

External affairs minister Suhsma Swaraj said the Centre would not oppose the Italian marine’s plea for going home for treatment. “The application ... is in court, we are not opposing it,” Swaraj said.

“If the courts allow him to go home on humanitarian grounds, we will not oppose it,” she added.

Italian Ambassador to India, Daniele Mancini, was ready to give any undertaking in this regard. He informed the court that on SC order the trial in the case is in abeyance.

The marines have challenged NIA’s jurisdiction to prosecute them after dropping of the stringent anti-piracy law. The court asked additional solicitor general P Narasimha to respond to the request on September 12, the next date of hearing.

“If what he has stated is correct then there should be no objections unless there is something very serious for you to show,” the bench told the ASG.

The court also exempted Lattore from appearing before the Chanakyapuri police station once a week as a condition of his bail.

The exemption would be in force for 15 days.