Chilean senator murder: SC to hear plea of jailed French woman

The Supreme Court on Tuesday agreed to hear on Friday the plea of jailed French national <g data-gr-id="14">Marie Emmanuelle</g> Verhoeven, challenging her arrest and extradition proceedings initiated by the Centre at the request of Chile for her alleged involvement in the assassination of a senator there in 1991.

“Let it come up for hearing on Friday,” a Bench comprising Justices TS Thakur and Kurian Joesph said after senior lawyer TR Andhyarujina, appearing for 56-year-old Verhoeven, sought an urgent hearing.

Andhyarujina also said the re-arrest of Verhoeven “gravely prejudiced” her fundamental rights under the Constitution.

The Bench inquired about charges against the woman and fixed it for hearing on October 9. Besides seeking “immediate release”, the plea, filed through lawyer <g data-gr-id="13">Ramni</g> Taneja, has also sought a direction to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), which is pursuing the extradition proceedings on behalf of Chile, to quash the ongoing inquiry before a magisterial court in New Delhi.

The plea has sought a direction quashing the gazette notification of April 29 and the order dated April 28, issued by the MEA.