Date:09/06/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/06/09/stories/2007060913320100.htm

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Delhi court allows Kohli's extradition

Staff Reporter

He is alleged to have assaulted and killed British teenager Hannah Foster in 2003

Sufficient material on record against the accused: court

A positive development: Britain

Hannah Foster rape and murder prime accused Maninder Pal Singh Kohli in police custody at Delhi's Patiala House courts on Friday. — PHOTO: R. V. MOORTHY

NEW DELHI: A court here on Friday allowed the extradition of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, who allegedly criminally assaulted and killed British teenager Hannah Foster in 2003 andfled to India, to the United Kingdom where he would face trial.

Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau said a prima facie case was made out as there was sufficient material on record against the accused. The court relied on forensic, medical and photographic evidence submitted by the British police.

The External Affairs Ministry had also submitted before the court that Kohli's was a fit case for extradition as he had fled from the country where he was accused of committing the crime and tried to evade arrest subsequently.

As the order was read out, Kohli claimed that he was innocent. He told the court that his life would be in danger in the U.K.

He expressed apprehension that he would not be given a fair trial as he was an Asian. However, the court said it took the decision on the basis of evidence on record.

Kohli can now challenge the order only once in a higher court.

His counsel indicated that they would approach the Delhi High Court.

Prosecution counsel Naveen Matta said it was now up to Central authorities and the requesting country to fix a date for extradition.

Soon after the order was pronounced, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of the U.K. issued a statement expressing satisfaction at the "positive development".

"We are grateful to the Indian authorities for the effort they have put into considering our extradition request. We hope that Kohli will soon be back in the U.K. to face trial for Hannah's murder," it added.

The victim's mother, Hillary Foster, told a television news channel here over phone that while she and her family were awaiting Kohli's extradition, they would be satisfied only when he was convicted.

Young Hannah was found murdered on the outskirts of Southampton, Hampshire, in March 2003. A couple of days later, Kohli, whose name came up as the prime suspect, fled to India.