The Supreme Court has ordered Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini not to leave India without its permission while seeking his response to the Centre’s affidavit accusing his government of
breaching a sovereign undertaking to ensure the return of the two marines facing trial for killing Kerala fishermen.
The SC’s direction came after attorney general G E Vahanvati drew its attention to Italy’s March 11 note verbale, informing India of the decision not to send back the marines. A bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, A R Dave and Vikramjit Sen issued a notice to Mancini seeking his response on the ‘breach of undertaking’ within four days and ordered him not to leave India without its clearance. The apex court also issued notices to the Italy government— through the ambassador—and the marines.
India toughened its stand over Italy’s refusal to send back two marines accused of killing Kerala fishermen to face trial by stopping its new envoy to Rome from joining duty. Sources said that senior diplomat Basant Gupta, who has been named envoy to Italy, has been asked to stay put in India. Gupta was held back just a day ahead of his taking charge in what is effectively a retaliatory move
No comments:
Post a Comment