Plea for re-examination of weapons dismissed

KOLLAM: The Kollam Chief Judicial Magistrate Court on Wednesday dismissed the pleas for re-examination of the weapons seized from Enrica Lexie and allowing a television set for the two arrested Italian Marines in the Central Prison. The court instead allowed the marines to be provided with Italian newspapers and magazines, after approval from jail authorities.Dismissing the petition, filed by the defence counsel on behalf of the marines, seeking a re-examination of the weapons with better cooperation with the Italian representatives, CJM A K Gopakumar observed that the Italian authorities had been given an opportunity to be part of the examination, while they voluntarily withdrew from the ballistic examination of weapons held at the Forensic Science Laboratory half way through the process. The court doubted the intention behind seeking a re-examination, as it may result in undue delay of the investigation. The court dismissed the plea for providing a television set at the cell in central prison where the marines were lodged. The defence counsel had prayed to the court on Monday to provide a television set, as the marines were not able to interact with others or read local newspapers owing to language barrier.The court observed that there was no provision or need to allow a television set for them. However, the court permitted to provide them with Italian newspapers and magazines arranged by the Italian Consulate. “Proper authorisation from the jail authorities should be sought before providing magazines and newspapers,” the court ordered.