JOIN USThe Italian government’s decision not to send back its two marines to India to stand trial in the killing of two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast last year has not really come as a surprise to many in this country. If any, the surprise was on the first occasion two months ago when Rome brought the two marines back to this country as per its sovereign commitment to the Kerala high court, which had granted permission to the duo to travel to their home country for Christmas.
The courts in India seldom entertain pleas by undertrials for temporary release from custody. So, the sceptics were not in agreement with that decision to allow the marines to go home. For them, the Italian government’s successful effort to take their nationals back home for Christmas was an elaborate ploy to escape trial in India. But the sceptics were proved wrong.
The Indian authorities were perhaps needlessly soothed by the prompt return of the marines. Otherwise, it is difficult to explain how they would allow the two accused to go home again so soon, this time to enable them to cast their ballot in Italian parliamentary elections. Is that a convincing enough reason to grant permission to the undertrails to travel to their home country? Are we magnanimous enough to allow our own undertrials to cast their votes in Indian elections? Rome, which has consistently questioned the Indian jurisdiction to try the marines over the last 12 months, did not miss the opportunity the second time. So, if the Indian authorities — both the executive and the judiciary — were fortunate to avert the tragedy the first time, they now find themselves in an embarrassing situation — Rome has taken them and India for a ride.
Prime minister Manmohan Singh has assured at that all possible diplomatic efforts would be made to bring the two accused back to India. The matter is serious enough as the two Italians face charges of killing unarmed and innocent fishermen. And, on this occasion the Italian government’s sovereign commitment was made to the Supreme Court. It would be a farce if the accused are allowed to escape trial, and if the government overlooks the Italian government’s willful breach of its commitment to the country’s highest court. There is still over a week’s time left for the Italians to return to the country, as promised. The government should use this time to convince Italy to return its nationals or face serious consequences.