Delhi HC reserves order on Australian fugitive's bail plea

The Delhi High Court, on Wednesday, reserved its order on the bail plea of Puneet Kumar, who has been accused of fleeing to India in 2009 after hitting and killing an Australian student and injuring another.

Kumar was charged by Victoria Police for causing the death of 19-year-old Dean Hofstee and seriously injuring 20-year-old Clancy Coker in a road accident that happened in 2008. Both victims were students from Queensland.

Police had said alcohol levels in Kumar's blood showed he was inebriated at the time of the accident.

On Wednesday, Kumar's lawyer, Harinath Ram, said the court had heard the plea, but reserved its order.

"After hearing the bail application, the honourable judge reserved the order for writing and pronouncement of the judgement," said Ram.

Kumar's lawyer, Ram also said that the next hearing would take place on May 22, and if granted bail, then the next step could be about his possible extradition to Australia.

"If he's granted bail the further proceedings will be extradition which will be decided by the honourable ACMM (Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate) Delhi," Ram added.

Last year, in December, Kumar was produced before a court in Rajpura District, Punjab, where he said he wanted the trial to continue in India, as his life was under threat in Australia.

Puneet was arrested on November 29 after a five-year-long manhunt.

Puneet had gone to Australia to study hospitality. He fled the country in 2009 using a friend's passport after he was found guilty of negligent driving, local media reported.