Kochi:
The Kerala High Court today permitted the Italian vessel 'Enrica Lexie', detained off Kerala coast after two Indian fishermen were shot by its marines on February 15, to leave the state's shores after fulfilling the necessary formalities. Pio Shiano, the ship's owner, executed the bond for Rs three crore and submitted the demand draft for an equal amount to the High Court Registrar General B Kamal Pasha this afternoon and got the release order of the vessel.
An undertaking was also given to the court saying that in case summoned with regard to the shooting case, the six crew members of the vessel would be produced before any court.
Yesterday the formalities with regard to the bond could not be completed as they had not received the certified copy of the May 2 order by the Supreme Court.
While allowing the vessel to leave along with its four marines and six crew members, the Supreme Court had directed its owner to execute a surety of Rupees three crore before the Registrar General of the Kerala High Court.
The ship had been detained since February 15 at outer Kochi after its two marines - Latore Massmiliano and Salvatore Girone - allegedly shot and killed two Indian fishermen suspecting them to be pirates. The marines have been arrested and charged with murder and are now in judicial remand at Thiruvananthapuram central jail.