Enrica Lexie, the Italian oil tanker detained off Kochi following the killing of two fishermen by two marines on board the ship, was allowed to sail out of Indian waters on Saturday after Registrar General of the Kerala High Court Kemal Pasha issued a release order on the furnishing of a bond and demand draft for Rs. 3 crore each and undertakings by the owner, master, and shipping agent of the vessel.
The Registrar-General directed the Deputy Conservator, Cochin Port Trust, to allow the ship to leave in compliance of the directives of the Supreme Court.
The ship had been detained since February 15 after Latore Massmiliano and Salvatore Girone allegedly shot dead two fishermen, suspecting them to be pirates.
The marines are now in central prison, Thiruvananthapuram.
Viteli Umberto and Pio Shiano, master and owner of the vessel respectively, and the managing director of the shipping agent gave undertakings, as directed by the Supreme Court, that they would secure the presence of six crew members before any court or investigation officer or lawful authority in five weeks from the date of receipt of summons/notice.
The owner also furnished a separate undertaking that he shall produce the vessel, if required, in seven weeks.
The Supreme Court had ordered that the owner should execute a bond for Rs. 3 crore before the Registrar-General to ensure production of the vessel and securing the presence of the crew as and when called upon by any court or the investigating officer.
