Indian maritime authorities have allowed an Italian ship to leave its coast, a month after it was detained after two marines on board shot dead two Indian fishermen off the coast of the southern state of Kerala, sources said on Sunday.

"Indian shipping director general has given the vessel permission to set sail off Kerala coast. The vessel is likely to leave Indian coast next week," the sources said.

Indian police have initiated murder cases against the two Italian marines, currently in jail, for allegedly killing on Feb. 15 off the coast of southern India two Indian fishermen from on board Italian oil tanker MV Enrica Lexie.

The incident sparked a major diplomatic row between Italy and India, with Indian police immediately opening a murder enquiry and later arresting two members of the Italian Navy security team over the shooting.

On Feb. 19, the two marines were sent to police custody till Feb. 23. Thereafter they were remanded to judicial custody for the next 11 days till March 5 after which they were transferred to the Central Prison at Thiruvananthapuram.