New Delhi, June 18
The immediate deportation of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli to the UK for trial in British schoolgirl Hannah Foster rape and murder case was stayed by the Delhi High Court today while accepting his appeal against the order of the extradition magistrate.

While summoning the entire records from the extradition magistrate’s court, a Bench of Justices P.K. Bhasin and Pradeep Nandrajog granted interim stay on the deportation order, passed on June 8, allowing the extradition petition of the British government.

The court said till the appeal of Kohli was disposed of, he would not be deported to the United Kingdom.

Among several grounds raised to challenge the extradition magistrate’s order, including on legal issues, Kohli in his appeal claimed that his DNA test had not linked him to the alleged crime.

Kohli was accused by the British police of abduction, raping and murdering 17-year-old Hannah Claire Foster in March, 2003, and then fleeing to India. He was arrested from Kalimpong in West Bengal in July, 2004, and after three long proceedings on his extradition, the special magistrate appointed to go into it found that there was a “prima facie” case against him.

The extradition magistrate had based his findings on forensic reports, medical evidence and footage of close circuit TV and statements of some witnesses. Kohli had made every effort to thwart the extradition and went up to the Supreme Court to challenge the procedure followed on the appointment of extradition magistrate. However, the apex court rejected his appeal.