Times of India (May 31, 2012)
KOCHI: Hope is smiling at the Italian jailed marines from the most
unexpected face. A Keralite settled in Italy has approached the HC
expressing willingness to surrender his property at Kottayam, worth
over Rs 2 crore, as surety for bail to the marines.
The move comes at a time when various courts are denying bail to the
Italian marines citing general apprehension that they would flee the
trial.
John Thekkekara, who owns Centro Latino, which runs a group of services
including a banking service and a restaurant in Italy, maintained that
he has got over one acre of land in India and is willing to stand as
surety for the marines.
Thekkekara has been living in Italy for around 25 years. Talking to
TOI, John said that he decided to approach the court as he "felt that
the denial of bail to the marines is injustice". "I felt that the case
is not progressing in the right path as they (marines) have been denied
bail. Nature of their job must be considered. They made a mistake but
that was not deliberate," John said.
Continuous denial of bail would have unwanted consequences for Indians
in Italy. "Lots of Indians are working in Italy and this will affect
them. I don't know these marines personally. But I'm willing to give
surety if they are given bail," he said.
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