Runaway killer Puneet Puneet in last-ditch bid to evade justice

Fugitive killer driver Puneet Puneet tried to argue that “threatening remarks” by Melbourne’s Lord Mayor proved he wouldn’t get a fair trial.

Fugitive killer driver Puneet Puneet used condemnation from Lord Mayor Robert Doyle in his final desperate bid to dodge justice in Australia.

The runaway argued in court that Mr Doyle’s comment that Puneet was a “maggot” for fleeing Australia should have helped him stay in India.

It was among a litany of claims made by Puneet during the eight years he has spent trying to avoid paying for his crimes.

Puneet was finally taken into custody in India last week, before his extradition to Melbourne where he 12 years ago pleaded guilty to killing Dean Hoftsee while drunk and speeding at Southbank.

Puneet Puneet.

Mr Doyle said in 2017 that Puneet was a maggot and a coward.

A magistrates court in Delhi last month recommended Puneet be sent back to Victoria where he has been found guilty of culpable driving. A finding by the court outlined his arguments to stay, including the maggot gibe and that Mr Doyle had “made threatening remarks.”

“It is argued by ... counsel for FC (fugitive criminal) that plenty of social media campaigns had been initiated against FC in Australia and even Melbourne Lord Mayor publicly called FC a ‘maggot’ and made threatening remarks against him, which clearly show that FC will not be given a fair trial and justice in Australia,” the finding said.

Puneet had claimed online searches made it clear that violence and discrimination against Indians in Australia were common.

A witness who is a friend of Puneet gave testimony that his mate was beaten by three or four Australian males and there were other incidents generated by a media “campaign” against him.

Puneet Puneet in his car in India.

Under questioning, the friend denied the statement was fabricated and made at the insistence of Puneet when “incentives” had been given.

The finding also noted Puneet had tried to use marital “discord” with his wife, who had filed “multiple complaints” against him, as a reason to stay.

Puneet had asserted that his “matrimonial life will be ruined if he is sent back to Australia”.

Australian authorities, led by the Victoria Police major collision investigation unit, have for eight years been fighting to have Puneet returned.

He bolted back to India on a mate’s passport after being granted bail, pending sentencing over the death of Mr Hoftsee and badly injuring his friend Clancy Coker. Puneet, who was 19 at the time of the incident, was arrested on his wedding day in 2013.