New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday said it will close criminal cases against two Italian marines who shot dead two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, only after the compensation amount of Rs 10 crore is deposited for the victims’ family by the Italian government.
A bench headed by Chief Justice S A Bobde and also comprising Justices AS Bopanna and V Ramasubramanian said the apex court will disburse the compensation to the kin of the fishermen killed.
The Centre had submitted in the apex court that an agreement on the compensation has already been reached and Rs 4 crore each will be given to victims’ dependents and Rs 2 crores to the owner of the boat while seeking expeditious closure of proceedings before the top court and a criminal trial pending before a special court in Delhi.
An international tribunal had earlier decided that the Italian marines--Salvatore Girone and Massimiliano Latorre--will be tried according to the law in their country.
The Italian government has said that it will transfer the money once India provides the account number to which the money has to be transferred.
Earlier, Rs 2 crore has already been paid to the families by the Italian government.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, on behalf of the Centre, informed the top court that the Central Government will provide the details and, within three days of receiving the money, deposit it with the Supreme Court.
The bench posted the matter for further hearing on April 19. (UNI)