Killer driver brands Aussies racist in extradition fight
RUNAWAY killer driver Puneet Puneet has launched a shameful last ditch bid in an Indian court to avoid extradition claiming Australia is a racist country.
The coward, who fled nine years ago after a fatal car acci- dent which killed Gold Coast man Dean Hofstee, has enlisted two Indian supporters who have lived in Victoria to spearhead his legal claim that he cannot get a fair trial here because of apparent prejudice.
Fronting a New Delhi court, Indian-born chef Jayant Dagore, an Australian citizen, said: “Indians are not safe in Australia and every case against India has some racial point into it.”
Mr Dagore and Melbourneborn designer Anna Maria D’Annibale recorded statements about Australia’s “racial” nature against Indians.
The family of 19-year-old nursing student Mr Hofstee, who was fatally struck during a drunken high-speed crash on Melbourne’s Southbank almost a decade ago, pleaded for Puneet to face up to his actions.
Mr Hofstee’s father Peter said: “It is just looking for excuses”. He said extradition delays were prolonging their ordeal following the devastating loss of Dean, a volunteer surf lifesaver. “In October, it will be nine years since Dean’s death and each year passing is another year too long,” he said.
Puneet has admitted guilt but in 2009 used a friend’s passport to flee Australia. He has fought extradition since November 2013 when he was arrested on his wedding day.
The court will make a decision about the witness statements on September 5.