Cowardly killer Puneet Puneet’s pathetic excuse to escape extradition to Australia

A FUGITIVE fatal hit-run drink-driver says Australia is hounding him “like a killer terrorist”, and has heartlessly offered to apologise to his victim’s family once more — “if it really matters to them”.

FUGITIVE fatal hit-run drink-driver Puneet Puneet says Australia is hounding him “like a killer terrorist”, and he has heartlessly offered to apologise to his victim’s family once more — “if it really matters to them”.

Puneet is in India fighting extradition to Australia, from where he fled nine years ago on a friend’s passport after admitting guilt in a fatal crash.

The Herald Sun understands Australia has recently made diplomatic approaches to India over the delay in the extradition proceedings.

Puneet has been arguing he cannot get a fair hearing in Melbourne because of racial bias, and that he is in extremely poor health.

Puneet Puneet fled to India after killing a Queensland student in a hit-run and is fighting extradition to Australia.

The fugitive, pictured in New Delhi, says he is extremely poor health.

He says Australia is treating him as a “terrorist”.

KILLER DRIVER SLAMS AUSTRALIA AS RACIST

Outside Delhi’s Patiala House court on Saturday, after the latest hearing, Puneet — wearing a face mask (right) — told the Herald Sun: “Authorities in Australia see me as a terrorist, which actually I am not.

“Whatever happened was just an accident and purely ­unintentional. Accidents happen everywhere, but I am being treated in a harsh way.

“If instead of me it would have been an Australian guy in my place, I am sure the case would have been different.

“I know what happened has been bad.

“I have apologised to the family and am ready to apologise to them again if it really matters to them.”

The extradition case was adjourned once more to Nov­ember 6 — but an angry magistrate sounded a warning.

Puneet Puneet was drunk when he was speeding in Southbank and killed Dean Hofstee.

Chief metropolitan magistrate Gurmeen Kaur said: “Your main lawyer continuously demands adjournment of the case, which is unacceptable. I am warning you that this is the last time I am accepting your adjournment.

“This case is going long, and I have to bring end to it.”

Puneet, then 19, was drunk and speeding along City Rd in Southbank on October 1, 2008, when he killed Queensland student Dean Hofstee, 19, and seriously injured Clancy Coker, 20.

He pleaded guilty to culpable driving, but while on bail in 2009 used a friend’s passport to flee. He remained a fugitive until November 2013, when he was arrested in Panipat, India, on his wedding day.

He was bailed, on a $4000 bond, in May 2015.

Fighting extradition, he has branded Australians as racist, claiming he cannot get a fair hearing because of racial bias. He has also tried to claim he was framed and only pleaded guilty out of stress and shock.

The scene of the horror crash in City Rd, Southbank. Picture: Fiona Hamilton

Puneet continues to claim his health is so poor he cannot stand up properly and cannot work, and faced court this week wearing a mask.

“My health is deteriorating: every morning I take around a bowl of medicines to remain alive,” Puneet said.

“For those who think I am faking my illness, go and talk to my doctors and see how bad my health is.”

Two witnesses from Melbourne have given evidence at the extradition hearing.

Indian-born chef Jayant Dagore has said he was racially bullied at work, and clothing designer Anna Maria D’Annibale has said Indians were poorly treated in Australia.

The two witnesses have since told the Herald Sun that their problem is with Australia’s systems of government, and not with its citizens.

Puneet was not a friend, and should face the full force of the law if guilty, they said.

Dean Hofstee at his 19th birthday celebrations in 2008, before he was killed in a hit-run.

TIMELINE OF A FARCE

October 1, 2008: Learner driver Puneet Puneet, 19, hits two Gold Coast university students with his V8 Holden Commodore. Puneet is charged with culpable driving and released on bail.

October 2: Puneet tells the Herald Sun he had four whisky and cola drinks at a party in Nunawading before the crash. He blames the crash on sore eyes and a cat that he says darted across the road and made him lose control.

February 4, 2009: Puneet pleads guilty to culpable driving causing death and negligent driving causing serious injuries.

June 12: Puneet flees to India using a co-worker’s passport.

August 20: Puneet’s flight comes to public attention, as police reveal the fugitive had not reported to them for almost two months. A County Court judge issues a warrant for his arrest.

September 30: Victoria Police and the Office of Public Prosecution are left red-faced after it is revealed they failed to correctly complete paperwork to extradite Puneet from India.

August 7, 2012: Police issue a $100,000 reward for finding Puneet.

November 30, 2013: Puneet is arrested in India.

February 27, 2014: Indian magistrate rejects Puneet’s application for bail.

May 28, 2015: Puneet bailed on a $4000 bond.

July 9, 2015: Puneet appears in an Indian court hearing wearing a surgical mask and sling and is aided by his mother and father entering the court.

September 26, 2016: Puneet vows to fight extradition to Australia “till death” in a court appearance in India.

August 1, 2017: Puneet launches a last-ditch bid in an Indian court to avoid extradition, arguing that Australia is racist.