The Union government of India on Wednesday opposed the plea of a fugitive criminal who is seeking trial in India after killing a man in Australia while driving under the influence of alcohol.
Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Sudesh Kumar was requested to dismiss Puneet’s plea by government’s counsel Naveen Kumar Matta and AK Vali. ‘It is for the government of India to decide whether a person should be extradited or not. The court cannot express an opinion in the matter,’ Matta said opposing the plea.
Puneet had in 2008 rammed his car into two pedestrians causing serious injuries. One of the victims had succumbed to his injuries later. After being held guilty in Australia, the man had fled the country with the help of friend’s passport.
‘Puneet’s plea is an abuse of the process of law and an attempt to further delay the extradition proceedings,’ Matta contended.
The government’s counsel also informed the court that the accused had pleaded guilty in an Australian court. However, Puneet’s counsel argued that he had pleaded guilty only under pressure, and if extradited, he would be put behind bars.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing to 9 January. Puneet will stay in judicial custody till the next hearing.
Sources said, Puneet wants his case to be heard in India as the maximum punishment for his offences in the country is two-three years.
On the other hand, in Australia he may have to spend up to 40 years behind bars for the same offences (20 years for killing, 10 years for causing injury and 10 years for passport-related crime).
Though Australia and India did not have a formal extradition treaty in 2009, when Puneet fled, the two countries signed an agreement in 2010.
Additional chief metropolitan magistrate Sudesh Kumar was requested to dismiss Puneet’s plea by government’s counsel Naveen Kumar Matta and AK Vali. ‘It is for the government of India to decide whether a person should be extradited or not. The court cannot express an opinion in the matter,’ Matta said opposing the plea.
Puneet had in 2008 rammed his car into two pedestrians causing serious injuries. One of the victims had succumbed to his injuries later. After being held guilty in Australia, the man had fled the country with the help of friend’s passport.
‘Puneet’s plea is an abuse of the process of law and an attempt to further delay the extradition proceedings,’ Matta contended.
The government’s counsel also informed the court that the accused had pleaded guilty in an Australian court. However, Puneet’s counsel argued that he had pleaded guilty only under pressure, and if extradited, he would be put behind bars.
The court has posted the matter for further hearing to 9 January. Puneet will stay in judicial custody till the next hearing.
Sources said, Puneet wants his case to be heard in India as the maximum punishment for his offences in the country is two-three years.
On the other hand, in Australia he may have to spend up to 40 years behind bars for the same offences (20 years for killing, 10 years for causing injury and 10 years for passport-related crime).
Though Australia and India did not have a formal extradition treaty in 2009, when Puneet fled, the two countries signed an agreement in 2010.