Runaway Indian driver Puneet Puneet’s extradition case in India had another inconclusive hearing at the Patiala District Court in New Delhi last week.
This time, the case was adjourned because Puneet’s lead defence counsel, Kanhaiya Kumar Singhal, failed to show up at the hearing as he was reportedly "occupied" with another case, the court heard.
Despite repeated phone calls by the court's clerk and Puneet’s relatives, and a waiting period allowed by Judge Gurmohini Kaur, Mr Singhal remained uncontactable.
Prosecution lawyer Bhaskar Vali, on behalf of the Union of India, which handles extradition matters told the court that “this date was chosen at their issuance," reported AAP.
Puneet Puneet after a court hearing in India. (File photo) Source: AAP
"How can they not be here when they chose the date? We request that the case proceed," said Mr Vali.
However, Judge Kaur said that despite the circumstances it was not right to proceed with the closing arguments without Puneet having access to a counsel.
But she did concede that the case had been delayed too many times.
"This matter has to end", she said.
A file photo of hit-and-run accused Puneet Puneet. Source: AAP
Background:
Puneet was allegedly drunk when the car he was driving in Melbourne crashed into two pedestrians, both students from Queensland.
The crash killed 19-year-old student Dean Hofstee and injured another friend, 20-year-old Clancy Coker, on a fatal night in October 2008.
Police at the time said he was over the legal alcohol limit and was estimated to be driving at 148 km/h. He later pleaded guilty to culpable driving offences in Magistrates Court in Melbourne in 2008.
Puneet was later granted bail on conditions that he wouldn't travel outside Victoria, would not drive and have to surrender his passport.
But despite the conditions, Puneet managed to flee to India in 2009 on his friend Sukhcharanjit Singh’s passport. However, he was arrested four years later, on his wedding day.
Puneet’s extradition trial:
Over the past five years, Puneet’s defence lawyer has made multiple attempts to stop his client’s extradition to Melbourne, prolonging the anguish of the families of the accident victims who want him to face justice in Australia.
Apart from not showing up in the court twice, Mr Singhal has made various claims against his client’s extradition including Puneet’s mental and physical health.
In a previous hearing in February this year, the defence lawyer told the court that Australia wants to have him extradited for “political reasons.”
"This extradition is being called for only for political reasons and to give benefit to Victoria's politicians. Puneet is being targeted for this reason and this reason alone," Mr Singhal had argued in the court, reported AAP.
The next hearing in the case has been set for May 2nd where Mr Singhal is expected to present his final arguments.
