Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 19

The Supreme Court on Thursday stayed the disbursement of Rs 2 crore compensation to the owner of the boat “St Antony” in which two Indian fishermen were killed by Italian marines in 2012.

Acting on a plea filed by surviving fishermen seeking compensation, a Bench, led by Justice Indira Banerjee, asked the Kerala High Court not to disburse any amount to the boat owner in terms of the top court’s June 15 order for disbursement of the amount deposited by Italy.

The 10 surviving fishermen, who were on board the fishing vessel, contended that they were also eligible for compensation from Rs 2 crore earmarked by the top court for the boat owner.

As Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said the fishermen’s plea could be sent to the Kerala High Court which was looking after the disbursement of compensation, the Bench issued a notice to vessel owner Freddy, saying it was necessary before the June 15 order was modified. The two marines, Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Gironde, will now be prosecuted in Italy, it had said, adding, the case details along with evidence would be provided by the Centre and the Kerala Government to Italy.

Marines allegedly killed 2 Indian fishermen

• More than nine years after two Italian marines allegedly killed two Indian fishermen off the coast in Kerala, the Supreme Court had on June 15 quashed all criminal charges against them in connection with a murder case they faced in India.
• The compensation of Rs10 crore paid by the Italian government over and above Rs2.17 crore already given to the victims’ families was adequate, it had said, adding, Rs4 crore each would be given to the kin of two deceased fishermen and the owner of the boat would get Rs2 crore.