Killer driver Puneet Puneet’s claims slammed

Puneet Puneet’s lawyers have made a desperate last ditch argument to stop his extradition to Australia, claiming that his case was “politically motivated.”

Puneet Puneet arrives under police escort at an earlier court date.

Puneet Puneet’s lawyers have made a desperate last ditch argument to stop his extradition to Australia, claiming that his case was “politically motivated.”

The Indian national, who was accused of killing Queensland 19-year-old Dean Hofstee in Melbourne in 2008, has been fighting attempts to bring him justice.

But the State Government has “utterly rejected” the claims, saying that Puneet had a case to answer.

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Puneet’s lawyer Kanhaiya Kumar Singhal, told a New Delhi court at the weekend that Victorian politicians were using his case for their own political goals.

“Australian politicians are eager to benefit from this case. Members of Australian Government are using Puneet’s name for their own political benefits,” he said.

“(The) Premier of Victoria is not following and raising Puneet’s case for judicious reasons, he is using it for his own political gains.”

Puneet Puneet is fighting extradition to Australia over charges relating to a fatal crash.

But the Victorian Government has rejected the claim, with Tourism Minister Martin Pakula slamming the suggestion.

“We reject utterly any suggestion that our attempts to extradite Puneet Puneet are anything other than to see him face justice,” Mr Pakula told Nine News.

Puneet arrives for a previous court hearing in New Dehli

Mr Kumar has been arguing that Puneet’s case would not result in more than a year in jail, which, if correct, would prevent his extradition.

“All the sections imposed against Puneet carry sentence less than a year and as per the extradition treaty Puneet cannot be taken to Australia,” he said.

But Puneet, who has been accused of culpable driving, negligently causing injuries and death, and using another person’s passport to flee Australia.

If found guilty, these charges would attract significant jail time.

According to the extradition treaty, Mr Kumar, said that only offence which carry sentence more than a year, fall under the extradition arrangement between India and Australia.

“While being in judicial lock up for two years, Puneet has served his sentence and should be released,” he said.

“Also there is no clarity on the documents provided by the Australian government, they are not properly stamped and the undersigned on the documents from Australian authorities has not submitted his authority letter.

“Documents provided by Australian authorities have ambiguity. They are not properly authenticated.”

Meanwhile, talking to Herald Sun outside court, one of the lawyers representing Australia, said: “There is no political involvement in the case, Puneet has committed a crime and he has to face law for that.”

Puneet was a 19-year-old learner driver when he killed Queensland student Mr Hofstee 19, and seriously injured Clancy Coker 11 years ago.

He was arrested in 2013 in India after being on run for four years.

Since then he has been fighting against his extradition in New Delhi’s Patiala House Court.

The case will continue on March 14.