Enrica Lexie--Random Thoughts

1.Bail for Marines.    Within 10 days of arresting the Marines police had got whatever information was possible to get from the Marines they had got. What was the necessity of keeping them for another 80 days more? When a sovereign nation takes responsibility to present them whenever necessary is it not sufficient enough to release them on bail? And finally when they were granted bail what was the necessity of two people who have assets worth one crore each from Kerala also to stand surety? Are the two citizens bigger surety than a sovereign nation?

2. Why the families of the fishermen who were killed should be blamed if they accept money from Italian Government? Government's main issue was the criminal aspect of the case. By giving compensation and the victims families accepting it can in no way affect the criminal case. It is only civil aspect which is concerned. The victims families were satisfied with the compensation and they have declared they don't have any more complaints. There was nothing wrong in either giving money or accepting it. If the poor families had not accepted it they would have to go as destitute till the case is finally settled which at the current pace would have taken years.

3. Why the ship was also kept so long after the inspection was over and all evidence taken and the suspected weapons taken why it was detained so long. The owners incur heavy loss when a ship is detained and the government is well aware of it.

4.  Lotus case has made a bad precedence. It is clear cut case of collision in high seas and flag country of the ship which made the collision should have jurisdiction. The decision in the case of German ship colliding with English ship was the right one- that is as per existing laws. Otherwise maritime laws should be re-written.

5. In the case of Prabhu Daya which collided with an Indian fishing boat and sank it, why India arrested the ship and crew. It was a Singapore flagged ship. But only thing was that the crew were Indian. Was it on that basis India took all the steps?