Italian envoy can be sent to jail: Harish Salve


New Delhi, Mar 17 (PTI): Harish Salve, who quit as Italian government's counsel after it refused to send back two marines accused of killing fishermen, feels the Italian Ambassador breached a solemn undertaking given to Supreme Court which can take action against the envoy including sending him to jail.

"It is said in the law that even an injunction or undertaking to a court which has no jurisdiction, if breached, you are in contempt," the senior Supreme Court lawyer said.

Asked whether Italian Ambassador Daniel Mancini breached the solemn undertaking on ensuring return of the two marines to face trial in India and if he is in contempt of the court, Salve said, "Absolutely".

On if he felt that the Court will take action against him, Salve said, "...The question is what...we have to wait and see."

To a question whether the Italian Ambassador could end up in jail, Salve told Karan Thapar in Devil's Advocate programme on CNN-IBN, "Theoretically, yes".

About its practical likelihood, he said, "Depends on how they want to deal with him. But they can if they want to send him to jail."

Unhappy over the Italian government's refusal to send back the marines charged with the killing of two Indian fishermen, the Supreme Court has restrained Italian Ambassador from leaving India without its permission.

A bench headed by the Chief Justice has also issued notices to the Ambassador and the two marines --Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone-- asking them to file their response by March 18.

Salve said he feels that the Ambassador will find it "very hard" to explain in the court why he breached a solemn undertaking. Responding to a query on enforcing action against a person enjoying diplomatic immunity, the senior lawyer said, "Our Constitution commands everybody will act in aid and according to directions of the Supreme Court."

The two marines were allowed by the apex court to go to Italy to cast their vote in the elections there after the Italian envoy had given an assurance to send them back. "Insulted" and "shocked" by Italy's stand on the issue, Salve had quit as counsel for the Italian government.

  

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Comment on this article

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    A perfect statement by the advocate Harish Salve.Any country for that matter should think twice before making a statement and breach of trust with a country that has more than 1.2 billion people.India has nothing to lose by the actions even if it arrest the ambassador of Italy.The envoy should convince his counterparts and Italian government to send the two marines back to India and face trial.

    DisAgree Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sadanand, Surathkal

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Very good exchange offer.Big one for small two.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Stany D'sa, Mangalore/Dubai

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    This case will be adjourned and only diplomacy shall prevail.One has to prove why the fishermen were killed and under what circumstances?

    DisAgree [3] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Praveen, udupi

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Harish Salve is saying so because he is getting no more legal fees from Italians.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Be careful Salveji, when you talk against Italians you are hearting the sentiments of few in 10 Janpath and Delhi including Karnataka region too. After all Italy is our “Sasuraal” too

    DisAgree [22] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Satish, DXB UAE

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Indian Govt, should stand by our people & get justice,,,,, We should also stop on saying always YES sir attitude,,,

    DisAgree Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • juliana, udupi

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Arresting foreign Ambassador? What will be the reaction of the other Ambassadors in India? It was a mistake to send the culprits to home country for any reason. If that government is against sending them back, what this poor fellow can do? It appears not his fault as he cannot direct his government to do something other than explain the situation.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dev, Mangalore

    Mon, Mar 18 2013

    Technically Yes...
    Practically NO.
    India has to follow the Vienna Convention. The Court might ask him to be put behind the bar & the Government thereafter can expel him most probably.
    Negotiations which our government failed to implement as the court earlier had adviced is the reason for this fiasco.
    Now that is the only option the government is left with.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Sun, Mar 17 2013

    Why Italian counsel has to be punished. Stop all Italian ships passing through Indian ocean till they listen to our requests....!!!???? stop yes sir attitude...!!!????

    DisAgree [1] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse


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Title: Italian envoy can be sent to jail: Harish Salve



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