‘We don’t trust you,’ SC tells Italian ambassador Mancini

Restraining Italy's ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving India, the Supreme Court today told him, ''We don't trust you any more.''

Mancini was appearing in the court in connection with the non-return of two Italian marine guards who are under trial for the killing of two fishermen off the south Indian coast. The oil tanker guards claim they mistook the low-powered fishing smack for a pirate boat.

The Supreme Court had allowed the two to return to Italy to vote in the February elections there, on a specific undertaking by the ambassador that they would return to India for the continuing trial. Italy now refuses to give up the marines, and is insisting on their trial in an international court.

Mancini faced tough questions from the Supreme Court, which  has taken up the issue of Italy reneging on its undertaking to send back its marines.

The Supreme Court slammed the Italian ambassador for breaching his undertaking and restrained him from leaving India till 2 April, when it will hear the matter again.

"We did not expect the Italian ambassador to behave like this," the apex court said.

The bench, comprising  Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Justices A R Dave and Vikramjit Singh, however said a contempt of court charge would be made out only if the ambassador fails to bring back the marines by 22 March.

The Court, which has fixed 2 April for further hearing, said the marines still have time to return by 22 March. "Strictly speaking they have not violated our order."

After a year of disagreement over the fate of the marines between Rome and New Delhi, the Italian government announced last Monday that it would not send the men back.

A furious Indian government has warned of "consequences" and is reviewing its ties with Italy, while the Supreme Court ordered that Mancini should remain in the country and explain himself in court on Monday.

The restraining order appeared to run contrary to international rules guaranteeing diplomats freedom of movement, but India has insisted that Mancini willingly submitted himself to the jurisdiction of its top court.

Orders were issued to Indian airports last Friday asking the authorities to prevent Mancini from leaving if he tried to board a plane.

Mancini has been Italy's ambassador  to India since January 2013.