KOCHI: Attempts by the Kerala police to initiate legal action against Italian naval personnel who shot dead two Indian fishermen hit a roadblock on Friday after the vessel captain made it clear that they would respond to the notice served by the police “only after consultation with higher officials of the Italian Government”.In an official communication, Capt Vittelli Unberto informed investigating officer R Jayarajan, CI, Neendakara Coastal Police, that top officials from the Italian Ministries of Defence, Justice and External Affairs would reach New Delhi soon to hold discussions. A final decision regarding response to the police notice will be taken only after that.In a clever move to delay the legal action, Italian Consul General Giampaolo Cutillo asked Kochi Police Commissioner M R Ajith Kumar for a written notice from the state police on Friday. Following this, the investigating officer issued a notice addressing the captain of the ship, which was accepted by the Consul General. The notice asked for the cooperation of crew members of Enrica Lexie for investigation regarding the death of the two fishermen. The police also sought “bringing the required crew members on the land for investigation, permission to carry out investigation in the Italian vessel and subjection of accused before the Indian court”. Ajith Kumar said the ship will not be released from the port unless due compensation is paid to the victims.Meanwhile, the Italian embassy has appointed Abhishek Singh as their advocate for any legal action. Advocate V J Mathews from the Ernakulam High Court was appointed advocate by the Dolphin Tanker, the Italian company that owns the vessel.
Comments
0 comment