HC posts marines plea to March 19

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Friday adjourned the hearing on the petition filed by two Italian marines seeking to quash the FIR registered against them to March 19.Appearing for the state, Advocate-General K P Dandapani submitted that the government had absolute jurisdiction to register the case under various laws, including the Suppression of Unlawful Act of Violence against the Safety of Maritime Navigation and Fixed Platforms on Continued Shelf Act 2001.However, counsel for Italy pointed out that the action under the SUA could be taken only against terrorists or pirates.Italy’s counsel also argued that even under the Act, the state government had no jurisdiction to lodge an FIR. In fact, the Central Government had been empowered to register any case and to investigate under the Act. The AG submitted that during the course of investigation, the offence under the SUA would be incorporated in the FIR. In fact, the investigation is still on, the AG said.