Govt to comply with SC order on marines issue

Government today said it will comply with the Supreme Court order restraining the Italian Ambassador from leaving the country after Italy refused to send back marines charged with the killing of two fishermen.
"We will comply with the Supreme Court order on the Italian marines issue. It is in the best interest of our country and in the best interest of our judicial system," External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid told reporters outside Parliament House.
The apex court today took exception to Italian government's refusal to send back marines charged with the killing of two fishermen and issued the order.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir also issued notice to the two marines, Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone, who were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini had given an assurance to send them back.

The bench, also comprising justices A R Dave and Vikramajit Sen, passed the order after it was brought to its notice that the Republic of Italy has reneged on its assurance given to the apex court.
Attorney General (AG) G E Vahanvati brought the issue before the bench, saying that "its a breach of undertaking given to the highest court of the land and the government is extremely concerned about it".
After hearing the AG's submission, the bench issued notices to the Ambassador and the two marines and asked them to file their response by March 18.