Fugitive wanted in Australia gets a day from HC to tie knot

A youth, facing extradition to Australia for mowing down a student and injuring another in an inebriated condition in 2009 there, was today allowed by the Delhi High Court to remain outside the jail for a day to tie the knot in the presence of police.
Justice V P Vaish, however, declined five days interim bail sought by accused Puneet Kumar and asked the police to take him to his wedding tomorrow in custody and bring him back the same day.
The court also refused to grant him three days time to stay with his family and said the applicant cannot be given "even a single day outside jail after his wedding".

The judge said the policemen will be accommodated at the expense of the accused.
The court was hearing the interim bail application moved by the youth who stated his marriage has been fixed for September 5, at Panchkula in Haryana, so he needs to stay home for five days.
However, central government's Standing Counsel Anil Soni and advocate Naginder Benipal opposed Puneet's plea and said "we could not verify the claim of marriage".

"The case has international ramifications. The applicant (Puneet) is a fugitive criminal who is wanted in Australia and the proceedings to extradite him are underway.
"He fled from Australia after mowing down one person and injuring another while driving under the influence of alcohol. He was absconding for four years. There was also a reward of Rs 57 lakh on his head. His interim bail plea has been dismissed by the high court. He deserves no sympathy," the counsel said.

Advocate Soni further said "as per the Australian law, the offence committed by him entails a punishment of upto 20 years in jail".
Puneet 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. The victims were students from Queensland.
Police had said alcohol levels in Kumar's blood showed he was inebriated at the time of the accident.