Fishermen killing: Ready for out of court settlement? asks HC
A division bench comprising justices Thothatil B Radhakrishanan and C T Ravikumar posed the question on a petition filed by the fishermen's families complaining of inadequacy of the bank guarantee amount directed by a single bench.
While Doramma wife of Valentine Jalastine had sought a compensation of Rs 1 crore, the sisters of Ajeesh Binki, another fishermen had approached the High Court for Rs 2 crore relief.
The owner of the fishing boat, Freddy has also sought Rs 75 lakh compensation for the damage caused to his boat.
The
single
Judge
had
ordered
the
ship
owner
to
submit
a
bank
guarantee
of
Rs
25
lakhs
each
for
the
families
of
the
two
killed
and
Rs
10
lakh
for
the
damage
caused
to
the
boat.
The
Court
also
wanted
to
know
who
had
ordered
the
firing
and
who
was
incharge
of
the
marines
who
were
providing
security
to
the
vessel.
The bench also directed that the ship, now berthed in Kochi, shall not leave till a decision is taken on the issue of compensation.
The marines Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Gironi have been arrested and charged with murder for allegedly shooting the two fishermen dead on February 15 off Kollam coast, an incident that has led to a diplomatic row between India and Italy, which is making hectic efforts for their release.
The accused have contended before the court that Kerala police has no authority to conduct an investigation in the case and courts in India have no jurisdiction as the incident had occurred beyond the Indian territorial waters.
PTI