Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini may face tough questions on Monday from the Supreme Court when it takes up the issue of Italy reneging on its undertaking to send back its marines charged with the killing of two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast last year.
Law Minister Ashwani Kumar, who described the Italian government’s refusal to send back the marines as “unprecedented”, still hoped that the Supreme Court’s order will be complied with by Italy as the deadline for their return ends on March 22.
“The communication by the Italian government declining to send back the marines after giving undertaking to the highest court of the country through its Ambassador is unprecedented,” Kumar told PTI today.
“The Prime Minister has already made a statement on the issue (in Parliament). The Attorney General (G.E. Vahanvati) will convey the Government’s stand tomorrow depending upon the response of the Italian government in the court tomorrow. It is sincerely hoped that the order of the Supreme Court will be complied with,” he said.
Some legal experts feel that Mancini can be hauled up by the apex court for contempt and that he cannot take seek diplomatic immunity.