Hannah rape case: Kohli's deportation stayed

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the order of lower court pertaining to extradition of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, accused of raping and killing British teenager Hannah Claire Foster, to the United Kingdom.

A division Bench comprising Justice Pradeep Nandrajog and Justic P K Bahsin also called all the relevant documents to be submitted in the court.

"It is directed that petitioner (Kohli) would not be deported to the United Kingdom till the matter is disposed in the court," the bench said.

Kohli had moved the Delhi High Court on June 15 against the additional chief metropolitan magistrate's order which allowed his extradition to the United Kingdom to face the trial.

Challenging the order Kohli had contended that despite mismatch in DNA analysis, the lower court relied on the report.

The Lower court while allowing Kohli's extradition on June 8 had said that DNA profile of Kohli, as inferred from samples taken from his wife and children, matched the semen samples found on the body of deceased, and this further prima facie corroborated his alleged involvement in the crime.

The court's order for the extradition of Kohli, arrested on July 15, 2004 at Kalimpong in West Bengal, was based on forensic, scientific and medical evidence that included closed circuit TV footage, statements of witnesses and the behaviour and conduct of the fugitive.