Accused in Tosha's murder in Oz be tried in India: Father

Vadodara, Mar 19: The accused arrested in connection with the murder of Tosha Thakkar in Australia should be tried in a court in India, her father Sunil Thakkar said today.

He said that there should be some kind of arrangement between Australia and India for extradition of persons charged with serious offences. Trial of such cases has to be held in the native country of the person killed.

Tosha (24) studying in Sydney for the last three years was killed on Mar 9 after being raped allegedly by her neighbour Daniel Stani-Reginald, a 19-year old of Sri Lankan origin who has been arrested by the Australian police.

"I raise this demand to ensure that severe punishment is meted out to the person arrested as my daughter was brutally assaulted and murdered in Sydney," Thakkar said after Tosha's mortal remains were consigned to flames here today.

However, if for any reason it is not possible, the Indian government should ensure that severe punishment is awarded to the person concerned, he demanded.

"My daughter was very simple and jovial who never did any harm to any body. I fail to understand as to why she was killed," Thakkar said adding two days before her murder, she had talked to us.

She sounded very happy and was looking forward to rejoin with us in August after completing her course in accounting in Sydney. Meanwhile, Tosha's mortal remains brought here last night were consigned to flames today.

Hundreds of people including MP Balkrishna Shukla, local MLA Bhupendra Lakhwala, former health minister Nalin Bhatt joined in the funeral procession.

PTI