The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear the plea of Salvatore Girone, one of the two Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen off Kerala coast, seeking relaxation in bail terms to enable him to go to his country till an International Arbitral Tribunal decides the jurisdictional dispute between India and Italy, on May 26.
A Vacation Bench, comprising Justices PC Pant and DY Chandrachud, fixed the plea for hearing on Thursday when Additional Solicitor General (ASG) Pinky Anand, appearing for the Centre, said the government did not object if conditions were relaxed on the same lines as was done in the case of another marine Massimiliano Latorre.
Latorre is already in Italy on health grounds and his stay there has recently been extended by the Apex Court till September 30 this year.
The marine, who is in the custody of the Apex Court and is staying in the Italian embassy here, has said that he be allowed to return to his native place till the arbitral panel decides the jurisdictional aspect in the matter. Italy and India have been making contrary claims over the right to prosecute the two Italian marines in the case.