In 2012, the case had turned nasty, fast. The Italians were accused of working through the Kerala church to pay the families of the dead fishermen ‘blood money’ – the families received Rs 1 crore each from the Italian government in an extralegal settlement brokered by the church in Kerala and priests from the Vatican in exchange for withdrawing their cases in various courts against the marines and the ship-owner. They also wrote a letter to the Vatican saying that they forgave the marines. The Kerala High Court had approved the settlement, but the Supreme Court took exception, slamming the state government for not objecting to the settlement, and calling it a “direct challenge to the Indian judicial system”.

India and Italy then had an 11-day diplomatic row as the Italian government went back on its word.

After India allowed the two marines to return to Italy to vote in the general election in February 2013, Italy refused to send them back to face the music in India as promised. At this point, the Supreme Court passed an order saying the Italian ambassador would not be allowed to leave the country unless the marines returned – Italy softened, and sent them back.