A ploy to get marines out of India: Kerala

The Kerala High Court on Thursday granted permission to the Italian marines to go home for two weeks for Christmas, provided the Union Government approves the undertaking given by the Italian Ambassador and Consul-General and guarantees their return.

The Italian Ambassador and Consul-General should file unconditional undertaking before the court to keep surveillance of the marines during travel, while in Italy and on return to India and also ensure that they are produced in the court on or before the date specified, it directed.

“Furnish details of their address and mobile numbers and their movement in Italy to the Kochi Police Commissioner. The marines should not leave Italy, except for returning to India,” the court said. On their return, they will be bound by the same conditions as stipulated in the May 20, 2012, bail order.

The Italian Ambassador and Consul-General have given an undertaking that they will be under the constant care, custody, control and guardianship of the Republic of Italy to ensure the marines’ return.

However the state apprehended that this was a ploy adopted by Italy to get the marines out of India. The state also pointed out that proper method should have been taken by Italy to take up the issue with the Centre.

The complaint voiced by the state that there was no attempt from the part of the petitioners to involve the governments of both countries does not appear to be correct, as per what is observed from the records, the Court said.

The communication submitted by the Additional Solicitor-General shows that there have been correspondences between the governments.