The extradition trial of the Indian national Puneet Puneet, who is wanted in Australia in a hit-and-run case, is almost nearing its end in New Delhi.
Puneet was allegedly drunk when the car he was driving in Melbourne crashed into two pedestrians, both students from Queensland.
The crash killed a 19-year-old student Dean Hofstee and injured another friend 20-year-old Clancy Coker on a fatal night in October 2008.
Puneet fled to India while on bail on a friend’s passport and was arrested five years ago, on his wedding day.
He is now fighting a legal battle in a Delhi court against his extradition to Australia.
A file photo of hit-and-run accused Puneet Puneet. Source: AAP
Bhaskar Vali, the prosecutor who handles extradition matters, said that the three main conditions for extradition were: prima facie evidence for a case; dual criminality - that the crime in Australia was also a crime in India; and that the crime merited a mandatory punishment of more than one year.
He said these had all been met.
Mr Vali summarised the events of October 1st 2008 in the court describing how Puneet was seen drinking at a bar, driving at ‘furious speed’ and hitting two people exiting the hotel after losing control of the vehicle.
Mr Vali told the court, "Puneet has pleaded guilty, he has signed every document about it. He said he was not a flight risk back in 2008 but then he duped his friend into getting his passport and fled to India."
The case has been going on for nearly four years, with the defence repeatedly arguing that Puneet's mental health was an issue - but he was declared cerebrally fit to stand the trial last month.
The defence is expected to give its narration of the facts at the next hearing, slated for 14 January 2019.
