The Italian Government striking a deal directly with the Indian citizens without the official involvement of the Government of India was a serious matter, the Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly told reporters here.
He demanded a comprehensive inquiry to expose the conspiracy behind the deal, which he said was struck with the aim of sabotaging the case against two marines, arrested and remanded in jail in connection with the shooting to death of the two fishermen from onboard Italian ship Enrica Lexie.
"The sudden turn of events in the case appears to be part of a move to sabotage the case.It would be difficult to strike such a compromise without the knowledge of the Centre and the state government", Achuthanandan told a press meet here.
The act of withdrawing their charges against the marines by the family members of the fishermen and the owner of the boat in which two murdered fishermen were sailing had disgraced the pride of the country, he said.
It was regrettable that those who had levelled serious charges against the Naval guards who allegedly shot dead their kin had no difficulty withdrawing the case on getting money, he said.
Earlier this week, the family members Vlantine Jalastine and Ajaesh Pink withdrew their petitions in the Kerala High court after the Italian authorities gave them Rs 1 crore each as part of a compromise formula.