After a key Italian senator said that the two marines accused of murdering Indian fishermen off the coast of Kerala would not return to India, the government has refused to consider it an official word.
According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, the statement is that of an Italian politician and not that of the country's government.
However, CNN-IBN has learnt that Italy and India had agreed for international arbitration in the case.
Nicola Latorre, head of senate's defence committee, had told Italy's ANSA news agency, "Massimiliano Latorre will not return to India, and furthermore, the possibility of asking for Salvatore Girone's return is being explored."
Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to intervene and ensure that the marines are brought back.
He said, "They committed crime on the Indian soil. They should be brought back and tried under Indian law. We urge Central government to bring them back. We will urge the PM to look into the issue."
Massimiliano Latorre was allowed by the Supreme Court in September 2014 to go to Italy initially for four months after he had suffered a brain stroke. His stay there was extended subsequently.
The Supreme Court on July 13, 2015 had allowed Latorre to stay in Italy for another six months on medical grounds, after the government did not object to his plea.
The six- month period ends on Wednesday and the matter may come up for hearing in the apex court.
The marines, who were on board ship 'Enrica Lexie', are accused of killing two Indian fishermen off the Kerala coast on February 15, 2012 after mistaking them for pirates.
The Supreme Court which was handling the case suspended the court proceedings relating to the trial of two marines in August 2015 following an order to this effect by International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) which was approached by Italy for international arbitration.
(With Agency Inputs)
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