The Supreme Court on Tuesday removed the restriction placed on the movement of Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini after noting that the two marines had come back to face trial after their stipulated four-week stay.
The accused, Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, were allowed by the apex court on February 22 to visit Italy to exercise their franchise in general elections on an assurance of return given by the ambassador.
However, in a volte-face, Italy said the marines will not return to stand trial, triggering chances of a major diplomatic standoff with the apex court directing authorities to ensure that the envoy does not leave the country.
A three-judge bench presided over by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir modified the March 14 order barring the envoy from leaving India.
The bench, also comprising Justices A R Dave and Vikramjit Sen, asked Attorney General G E Vahanvati to explain the steps taken for formation of the special court for holding the trial.
“What about the special court? This needs to be done swiftly. They are people from outside. We cannot hold them back for long,” the bench said.
On January 18, the apex court had directed the Centre to set up a special court in Delhi to try the marines, while ruling that Kerala had no jurisdiction.
