New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday asked Italy to deposit Rs 10 crore, that would be compensated to the families of two Kerala fishermen killed by Italian marines, in an account specified by the Ministry of External Affairs.

A bench headed by Chief Justice S.A. Bobde and consisting of Justices A.S. Bopanna and V. Ramasubramanian said the compensation received from the Italian government will be deposited with the Supreme Court for disbursement among the victims. The top court has listed the government's application for closure of criminal trial against Italian marines on April 19.

The Central government and the Kerala government informed the top court that victims' families have agreed to a compensation of Rs 10 crore, over & above ex-gratia amount received earlier from Italy. The bench observed that the case against Italian marines will be closed after the compensation is deposited.

The Italian government has offered a compensation of Rs 10 crore, out of which the Kerala government proposed to disburse Rs 4 crore, to the dependents of each deceased and Rs 2 crore to the owner of the boat St. Antony.

Senior advocate Suhail Dutt, representing the Italian government, submitted that his client has agreed to deposit the compensation of Rs 10 crore with the Indian government and they are waiting instructions from the Ministry of External Affairs to transfer the money. The top court was considering Centre's plea to close criminal proceedings pending against Italian marines accused of killing two fishermen off the coast of Kerala in 2012.

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