Attorney-General’s fresh push to extradite killer hit-run driver Puneet Puneet
Fugitive hit-run killer Puneet Puneet has been free for more than a decade and is due to face court for an astounding 84th time. The Victorian government has launched a bold bid to “end the talk” and serve him justice.
Law & Order
Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A bold plea to “end the talk” and bring fugitive hit-run killer Puneet Puneet to justice has been made by Victoria’s Attorney-General.
Jill Hennessy — with the Office of Public Prosecutions’ backing — has written to her federal counterpart urging him to intervene.
It comes just a month before Puneet, who skipped bail and fled to India after killing Gold Coast student Dean Hofstee in Melbourne a decade ago, is due to face court for an astounding 84th time.
Ms Hennessy told the Sunday Herald Sun: “Puneet Puneet needs to return to Victoria – we’ve heard the same excuses over and over again – it’s time for the talk to end and for justice to be served.”
“The Andrews Government has vigorously advocated for Mr Puneet to be extradited back to Victoria to answer for his actions,’’ she said.
“We acknowledge that we can’t interfere in overseas court proceedings, but the Australian Government needs to step up its advocacy to progress this matter for the victim’s family.”
Ms Hennessy’s letter — sent to Federal Attorney-General Christian Porter on Friday — states Puneet’s dozens of court hearings have resulted in very little progress.
It’s understood staff within the OPP, which has prepared a chronology of Puneet’s court proceedings for federal authorities, are also deeply concerned about the ongoing delays.
Even if an Indian court next month finds the cowardly runaway should be extradited the country’s government must consider the matter, which is expected to take some time.
A spokesman for Mr Porter said: “The extradition proceedings in India are continuing as provided for in extradition arrangements between India and Australia.”
“The government continues to facilitate those proceedings in accordance with the extradition arrangements which are now in their final stages,’’ he said.
MORE: BOYS BASHED IN HOUSE PARTY GANG TERROR
COPS FEARED CAMPGROUND SHOOTING BROTHER WOULD DIE
Puneet, a learner driver, had three times the legal amount of alcohol in his blood when his speeding V8 Holden Commodore struck Mr Hofstee and critically injured Clancy Coker as the university mates left a Southbank hotel on City Rd on October 1, 2008.
He fled to New Delhi on a friend’s passport the following year after admitting guilt and evaded authorities until November 2013.
He has claimed he wouldn’t receive a fair trial because Australians are racist.