Italy warns India, it will react if marines are booked under anti-piracy law

Meanwhile, Italian Defence Minister Mario Mauro flew to New Delhi to keep a close eye on the case.

In New Delhi, the apex court today set February 18 as the next date for hearing arguments from both the sides on the use of the anti-piracy law.

Italy had approached the Supreme Court on January 15 amid fears that the NIA intends to prosecute the marines under the anti-terror Suppression of Unlawful Acts against safety of Maritime Navigation And Fixed Platforms on Continental Shelf Act (SUA).

The marines allegedly shot dead two fishermen off the Kerala coast in February 2012, sparking diplomatic tensions between India and Italy.

The marines, deployed on the Italian-flagged oil tanker MT Enrica Lexie, have said they mistook the fishermen for pirates. They are now staying in the Italian Embassy in New Delhi awaiting trial.

Rome wants the marines to be tried in Italy, claiming the incident took place in international waters. However, New Delhi said it has the right to try the Italian personnel as the victims were Indians on board an Indian fishing boat.