An Indian court has issued arrest warrants against two Gold Coast residents in connection with the alleged murder of an Australian citizen in Punjab in March this year.
The court has ordered the husband of Gold Coast nurse Ravneet Kaur, and his alleged mistress to appear before it by 30th November.
Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjit Kaur were named as accused in 29-year-old Ms Kaur’s murder case after her dead body was found in a canal on 25 March this year. Ms Kaur was pregnant at the time.
She was visiting her parents in Bagge Ke Pipal village in Ferozepur district in Punjab when she went missing on 14th March. Indian investigators say she was on the phone with her husband when she was kidnapped from the street.
While Ms Kaur’s husband Jaspreet Singh was in Australia at the time, the police alleged that he was having an affair and arranged the murder with his alleged mistress Kiranjit Kaur who allegedly flew back to Australia a day after Ms Kaur went missing. Mr Singh and Kiranjit Kaur deny allegations that they were involved in the murder.
Ravneet Kaur Source: Facebook
The police alleged that Kiranjit Kaur left India after killing Ms Kaur.
Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur, said if Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjit Kaur don’t appear before the court until 30th November, the process to declare them ‘proclaimed offenders’ will begin.
If they present themselves before the court until 30th November, charges will be laid against them and the trial will get underway.
So far, the police have arrested four people, including Kiranjit Kaur’s sister, and charged them with murder and kidnapping.
“We have already submitted the chargesheet against the four accused who remain in judicial custody but the two in Australia couldn’t be arrested so far. If they don’t appear before the court by the given date, we’ll submit chargesheet against them too and they’ll be declared proclaimed offenders,” Gurdeep Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur city told SBS Punjabi.
Ravneet Kaur’s brother Jasneet Singh said the recent spate of transfers of police officers involved in the investigation of the case has affected the proceedings.
“The Australian Federal Police have told me that they are finding it difficult to contact and meet the new police officers looking into the case. There seems to be a lack of co-ordination and co-operation between the two countries,” he told SBS Punjabi.
The AFP said it is liaising with the Indian authorities.
Ravneet Kaur with husband Jaspreet Singh Source: Supplied
“The AFP through its International Operations is liaising with its Indian counterparts in conducting investigations into the death of Ms Kaur,” a spokesperson told SBS Punjabi.
However, it declined to comment on whether Indian authorities had requested for the extradition of Jaspreet Singh and Kiranjeet Kaur.
“As the matter is ongoing no further information will be provided,” the spokesperson added.
AFP grilled Kiranjeet Kaur
In April this year, Kiranjit Kaur was questioned by the federal police at the Surfers Paradise police station, where she was reportedly interviewed for over six hours.
After the questioning, her barrister, Chris Rosser told Courier Mail that Ms Kaur denied any involvement in the murder and was assisting the police with the investigation.
“She is horrified at what happened to her friend and wants to help police bring those responsible to justice,” he said.
Deceased Ms Kaur’s husband denied the allegations that he was involved in her murder.
“I don't know what the basis of all these allegations is,” he told SBS Punjabi after Ms Kaur’s dead body was found.
“I can't say anything. I will have to go to India and find out what happened. I have no role in this whatsoever.”
Share
