New Delhi, Mar 25 (IANS): The Delhi High Court has set up a special court for trial of the two Italian marines accused of killing two Kerala fishermen.

The Chief Metropolitan Magistrate (CMM) of Patiala House court will hold trial of the two Italian marines, Massimilano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, high court sources said Monday.

Following a Jan 18 direction from the Supreme Court, the union government had March 23 asked the high court to constitute a special court in the case.

The Supreme Court had Feb 22 allowed the marines to go to Italy for four weeks to cast their vote in the general elections there, they returned back on March 22. On March 11, Rome had informed New Delhi that they would not be returning to stand trial.

The decision had upset India and the Supreme Court, taking note of Italy's "betrayal", had barred Italy's ambassador from leaving the country.

Chief Master Sergeant Massimilano Latorre and Sergeant Salvatore Girone, on board the Italian cargo vessel Enrica Lexie, had shot dead the two Indian fishermen Feb 15 last year suspecting them to be pirates.