18/06/2007

Delay over extradition of Hannah suspect

A man wanted in the UK over the rape and murder of Hannah Foster has had his extradition suspended by an Indian court.

Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, 39, left the UK two days after 17-year-old Hannah was murdered in Southampton in March 2003.

He was arrested in India in July 2004.

Earlier this month, a court in India ruled that Mr Kohli should be extradited to the UK, but on Monday, Delhi High Court suspended the extradition.

Lawyers had challenged the validity of the order, arguing that there was direct evidence connecting Mr Kohli to the crime. They have argued that there are problems with DNA and CCTV evidence against Mr Kohli.

The case has now been put on hold in order to allow the evidence to be reviewed.

The High Court also issued a notice to the Indian government requesting its views on Mr Kohli's appeal.

The next hearing is due to take place on July 6.

The process to extradite Mr Kohli has involved more than 100 court appearances.

Hannah was abducted near her home in Portswood, Southampton, on March 14, 2003.

Her body was found two days later and a post-mortem examination revealed that she had been raped and strangled.

(KMcA/JM)


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