UK honeymoon murder suspect to fight extradition in top court

Image
Press Trust of India London
Last Updated : Feb 22 2014 | 6:57 PM IST
An Indian-origin British businessman accused of plotting his wife's murder while on honeymoon plans to take his fight against being extradited to South Africa to the UK Supreme Court.
Shrien Dewani's legal team applied to the High Court to try to get the case heard by the Supreme Court, the highest court in Britain.
"An application has been made to the court by Mr Dewani's lawyers in respect of the undertaking and for certification of points of law of general public importance and this will be listed for hearing in open court in due course," a spokesperson for the Judicial Office said.
The 33-year-old has been fighting against being extradited to face charges over his Indo-Swedish wife Anni's death for years.
Last month, the High Court ruled that Dewani could return to South Africa as long as the South African government makes a pledge over how long he would be kept in the country without trial.
He is being compulsorily detained at a clinic near Bristol under the Mental Health Act, suffering from severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Dewani is accused of organising the killing of his 28-year-old wife while the pair was on honeymoon in South Africa in November 2010.
The couple had been kidnapped at gunpoint as they drove through the Gugulethu township in a taxi.
While Dewani was released unharmed, Anni's body was found in the car the next day with injuries to her head and chest.
Dewani's lawyers say he will be willing to defend himself at a trial once he is fit to do so, but claim he is unfit to plead under English law.
In November 2012, South African national Xolile Mngeni was convicted of premeditated murder for shooting Anni and jailed for life. Prosecutors allege he was hired by Dewani to kill his wife, which the accused has denied.
The couple's taxi driver, Zola Tongo, was jailed for 18 years after he admitted his part in the killing and another accomplice, Mziwamadoda Qwabe, also pleaded guilty to murder and was given 25 years in prison.
Dewani's family have said that he remains committed to returning to South Africa "when his health would permit a full trial and when appropriate protections are in place for his health and safety".
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Feb 22 2014 | 6:57 PM IST

Next Story