On Board Air India One, March 29: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh yesterday declined to be drawn into the issue of perceptions over slow progress in trying the Italian marines who allegedly killed two Indian fishermen.
"As far as the two marines (are concerned), accused of killing two Indian fishermen, this is now a story which is a part of the judicial process," the prime minister told journalists on his way back from Durban after attending the two-day BRICS Summit.
"The Supreme Court has looked at it and a Special Court has been set up. I sincerely believe, that's where the matter should be left," he said.
"It would be much too presumptuous on my part to comment on an issue that is sub-judice."
The Delhi High Court has appointed the chief metropolitan magistrate (CMM) of the city's Patiala House court to hold trial of the two Italian marines, Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, high court sources said Monday.
Following a Jan 18 direction from the Supreme Court, the union government had March 23 asked the high court to constitute a special court in the case.
The Supreme Court had Feb 22 allowed the marines to go to Italy for four weeks to cast their vote in the general elections there. However, on March 11, Rome had informed New Delhi that the two would not be returning to stand trial.
This prompted the Indian Supreme Court to order the Italian ambassador to New Delhi not to leave the country which, in turn, led to Rome to make a U-turn and send the servicemen back.
