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Puneet Puneet hit-run driver begs for pardon

PREMIER Daniel Andrews will lobby the Indian government for help to return fatal hit-run driver Puneet Puneet to Victoria when he visits the country next week.

Puneet Puneet while on the run in India.
Puneet Puneet while on the run in India.

PREMIER Daniel Andrews will lobby the Indian government for its assistance to return fatal hit-run driver Puneet Puneet to Victoria when he visits the country next week.

The fugitive driver yesterday made an extraordinary plea to the families of his victims, begging for them to pardon him and claiming “my life is also ruined”.

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.

Puneet Puneet leaving court in Delhi in 2013.
Puneet Puneet leaving court in Delhi in 2013.

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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.

Mr Andrews will be in India next week on a delegation with a number of federal politicians and other state premiers.

Acting Premier James Merlino said Mr Andrews would take the opportunity to push for Puneet’s speedy return to face justice.

“He will be directly raising this with the Indian government,” Mr Merlino told 3AW.

“Putting forward our strong view that this individual needs to be extradited to face the Australian justice system.

“This is not about forgiveness it is about justice. The family want to see justice.”

Yesterday Puneet told the Herald Sun he wanted the families of Hofstee and Coker to drop the case.

Puneet Puneet in 2008.
Puneet Puneet in 2008.

“Whatever happened was unfortunate and not deliberate, I request the families to pardon me for the thing which wasn’t deliberate,” he said.

“It was just an accident, I understand their pain, but I am also suffering

“I request them to drop this case ... My life is also ruined.”

Puneet appeared frail in court, and has claimed he has serious health issues.

The next hearing is scheduled for February 2.

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Original URL: https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/puneet-puneet-hitrun-driver-begs-for-pardon/news-story/fe11b1e82bf9897aef0feb8370331f7c