Indian-origin businessman loses appeal against extradition

An Indian-origin businessman in Britain, accused of arranging the killing of his wife during a honeymoon trip to South Africa, has lost his appeal against extradition.

Shrien Dewani, 33, is now faced with extradition to South Africa within four weeks after he lost his last legal battle to block the move over the charges of killing his wife Anni in November 2010 in Cape Town, BBC reported Monday.

Dewani's legal team wanted their appeal against extradition to be heard in the Supreme Court but a panel headed by the Chief Justice Lord Thomas refused to entertain the case.

Dewani, a businessman from Bristol, is compulsorily detained under the Mental Health Act after being diagnosed with severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder in a hospital.

Dewani's lawyer Mark Summers told the High Court in London that his client's "underlying medical condition" may have become chronic, making it "untreatable".

He argued that more time was needed to fight the ruling, as his client's mental health was making him ineligible for extradition.

Refusing to entertain the plea against extradition, Lord Thomas said: "The provisions of the Extradition Act are designed to ensure extradition is a speedy process.

"I, therefore, pronounce (that) any period that is applicable under the relevant legislation will run from today (Monday)."

Outside the court, Anni's father, Vinod Hindocha, said the family was satisfied with the court's verdict.

He said the legal process had been a "torture" for his family.

"I really don't know what happened to my daughter. We need answers. We hope to get justice," Hindocha said.