Uniform-clad Marines inside court offensive

KOCHI: The state government on Tuesday submitted that the two Italian marines accused in the killing of the two fishermen have persisted on wearing their Naval uniform while appearing before the court. “They were wearing their uniforms while being produced before the court when they were supposed to wear civil dress. Directives will be given to the police to ensure that they follow the rules,” the state submitted.A Division Bench comprising Acting Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice P R Ramachandra Menon asked the state to file a statement in this regard. The petitioner, advocate M N Jayaprakash, submitted that producing the accused before the court in their uniform was illegal.The precedent will lead to a situation where officers and other public officials involved in criminal cases will start appearing before the court in uniforms, the counsel for the petitioner, advocate V Sethunath submitted.The two accused - Latore Massimiliano and Salvatore Girone - were seen wearing uniforms on both occasions when they were brought to the court, the petitioner pointed out.