Kerala's stand vindicated in vessel case: Chandy

The assurance given by Italian government in the apex court, while seeking the release of the ship, that those aboard the vessel would be made available when required by Indian legal authorities, also showed the state had taken the correct stand, Chandy told reporters here.

He said it was unfortunate that certain quarters had sought to blame the state government for the stand taken by Additional Solicitor General Harin Raval in the case a few days ago.

The subsequent progress in the case had proved that this charge was totally baseless as Raval had been removed from the case and the state succeeded in getting Attorney General G E Vahnavati to appear for the government.

Referring to the compensation deal struck by Italian government with the kin of the fishermen and the boat owner, Chandy said this also had been held "illegal" by the Supreme Court.

On the apex court's remark that Kerala should have filed an objection to the compromise, Chandy said the state's counsel had explained in the court on the reason for the delay on the issue. PTI NM VS

PAL