HC allows extradition of Indian youth to US

New Delhi, May 1 (UNI) The Delhi High Court today allowed extradition of an Indian youth , wanted by the US court in connection with the murder of his relative, who was staying with him in Florida.

The US court had requested the Indian Government to extradite the accused to their country so that trial can be conducted against him.

Justice Vikramajit Sen and justice Rajiv Sahai Endlaw dismissed the petition of Kamlesh Babu Lal Aggarwal--resident of the US and accused of murdering his close relative-- challenging the additional Metropolitan Magistrate's (ACMM) order of August 30,2002 which had held that there was enough evidence to extradite him to the US on charge of murder and allowed his extradition.

The case relates to one Deepa Aggarwal, a distant relative of accused Kamlesh Babu Lal Aggarwal, who was studying in the US since 1997. It is alleged that Babu Lal, murdered Deepa.

According to prosecutiuon, Babu Lal who was a resident of Florida, US, came to India in June 1999 and after staying here for five weeks returned to the US on July 8,1999.

He suddenly came back to India after four days on July 12 on a one-way ticket after disposing of all his belongings and valuables like car, computer, furniture at a throwaway price.

It was alleged that Babu Lal murdered Deepa during those four days stay in the US. Though the body was found on July 20,1999 the autopsy report confirmed that the death took place on July 10-11,1999.

The Court for the Ninth Judicial circuit for the Orange County-Florida found him guilty for the death of Deepa.

The ACMM had held the inquiry and while framing charges against the accused held that there was strong evidence against him and allowed the Indian Government to extradite him.

However, Mr Aman Lekhi, lawyer for the accused, had moved to the High Court challenging the trial court order stating that in such cases US law grants life imprisonment without parole which is worse than a death sentence and is violation of human rights .

Lekhi contended that the trial should go on in India. The High Court, however, dismissed his petition and allowed his extradition.

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