Senior advocate Harish Salve withdrew from representing two Italian marines in their trial before the Supreme Court (SC) for killing Indian fishermen, expressing shock at the Italian government’s “breach of faith”. Italy had reneged on its assurance to produce the marines before the SC after their visit to Italy. [NDTV]

Salve said:

As senior counsel, we are officers of the court in the first instance and our primary duty is to the Court. I consider this action of the Republic of Italy as a breach of faith. It is my perception that the Italian Government should have, in the least, forewarned its Indian lawyers of the change of its position before communicating it to the Government of India..

In these circumstances, I have informed the Italian ambassador that it will no longer be possible for me to appear for me to be associated with this case.