The Centre withdrew anti-piracy charges in the Supreme Court against the two Italian marines, charged with the killing of fishermen on Monday, an incident that soured diplomatic relations between both the countries.
This will rule out the chances of death penalty for the two marines who are facing trial for allegedly killing two Indian fishermen off Kerala coast in February 2012.
Earlier, Italy had expressed disappointment over the apex court decision to postpone the hearing in the case of the Italian marines charged with the killing of fishermen, an incident that soured diplomatic relations between the two nations.
The government has given its approval to an investigation agency to charge the sailors under its maritime security law, but said it would not seek death penalty if they were found guilty. Italy strongly opposes India invoking the law, arguing that it would equate to treating the men as terrorists.
Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, part of a military security team protecting a cargo ship off the coast of Kerala, say they thought the fishermen were pirates and fired shots to warn them off.
