Fishermen families get Rs 1 crore each, but case to continue

KOCHI: The family members of the two fishermen, who were mistakenly shot dead by Italian marines on board the vessel 'Enrica Lexie', have withdrawn their petitions against the Italians.

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday allowed the family members of the two fishermen, Gelastine and Ajesh Binki, to withdraw their submissions after both the families were paid compensation of Rs 1 crore each. The Italian authorities are likely to enter into a separate agreement with Freddie, the owner of the fishing boat, 'St Antony'.

But the the external affairs ministry has said the detention case against those two Italians will continue. Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said that there is a case in the Supreme Court over the jurisdiction of Indian law over the detention of two Italians and until the Court decides on it, the case will continue.

Noting that the case will come up on May 8, he said the Centre, which has asked for MEA's views in the matter, will present its stand before the apex court.

"As long as that case is decided and disposed off, our view has been that our jurisdiction extends to the detention. There can be people with different view points......The case on the detention would continue and until the Supreme Court decides otherwise, that will remain our view," he said. Asked about the compensation being paid to the families of the two fishermen allegedly killed by the Italians, the spokesperson said it was not a settlement between Indian State and another international state.