Maintaining that no further indulgence could be given to them, the Supreme Court on Tuesday rejected applications by the two Italian marines, demanding further relaxation of their bail conditions. The marines are accused of killing two fishermen off Kerala coast in 2012.
While Massimilano Latorre had sought extension of his stay in Italy by another four months to enable him undergo a heart surgery, Salvatore Girone wanted to go back to the native land to spend some time with his children, who he claimed, were suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.
A bench led by Chief Justice H L Dattu asked the marines to show some respect for the Indian legal system and let the trial begin at the earliest now.
It reminded the marines that they had been accused of murder charge and the courts would not let such accused even come out on bail whereas in their case, maximum indulgence had already been shown.
On September 12, Latorre was allowed to go to Italy for treatment after a brain stroke. His bail period expires on January 13, 2015.
Latorre pleaded to the court to consider his application on “humanitarian” grounds, saying that he has to undergo heart surgery and continues to require rehabilitation, treatment and therapy in his native country and also that he is not immediately required by any Indian court as the trial has been stayed for the tijme being by the supreme court.
In a separate application, Girone, presently in India, has cited the psychological impact of his absence on his children—a son and daughter- and has appealed to the court to relax his bail condition and let him travel to Italy.
Girone’s application said: “Medical experts have independently and separately concluded that the applicant’s children suffer from post-traumatic stress syndrome due to applicant’s (Girone) detention in India, and believe that they may never see their father again and that their father may be given the death penalty as a result of criminal prosecution.”
“According to medical evidence, it is likely that prolonged stress of this kind, which is traumatic to children, if left untreated, would have long-term devastating effects on the psychological condition of the children,” read his application.
Indian Express | December 16, 2014
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