Driver responsible for fatal hit-and-run says he’s being treated ‘like a terrorist’
FUGITIVE fatal hit-and-run drink-driver Puneet Puneet says Australia is hounding him “like a killer terrorist”, and has heartlessly offered to apologise to his victim’s family once more – “if it really matters to them”.
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 crash that killed student Dean Hofstee, 19, and seriously injured fellow Gold Coaster Clancy Coker, 20.
The Bulletin understands Australia has recently made diplomatic approaches to India over the delay in the extradition proceedings. Puneet has been arguing he cannot get a fair hearing in Melbourne because of racial bias, and that he is in extremely poor health.
Outside Delhi’s Patiala House court on Saturday, after the latest hearing, Puneet – wearing a facemask – said: “Authorities in Australia see me as a terrorist, which actually I am not.
“Whatever happened was just an accident and purely unintentional. Accidents happen everywhere, but I am being treated in a harsh way.
“If instead of me it would have been an Australian guy in my place, I am sure the case would have been different.
“I know what happened has been bad.
“I have apologised to the family and am ready to apologise to them again if it really matters to them.”
The extradition case was adjourned once more to November 6 – but an angry magistrate sounded a warning.
Chief metropolitan magistrate Gurmeen Kaur said: “Your main lawyer continuously demands adjournment of the case, which is unacceptable. I am warning you that this is the last time I am accepting your adjournment.
“This case is going long, and I have to bring end to it.”
Puneet, then 19, was drunk and speeding along City Rd in Melbourne’s Southbank on October 1, 2008, when he killed Mr Hofstee and injured Mr Coker.
He pleaded guilty to culpable driving, but while on bail in 2009 used a friend’s passport to flee. He remained a fugitive until November 2013, when he was arrested in Panipat, India, on his wedding day.
He was bailed, on $4000 bond, in May 2015.
Fighting extradition, he has branded Australians as racist, claiming he cannot get a fair hearing because of racial bias. He has also tried to claim he was framed and only pleaded guilty out of stress and shock.
Puneet continues to claim his health is so poor he cannot stand up properly and cannot work, and faced court this week wearing a mask.
“My health is deteriorating: every morning I take around a bowl of medicines to remain alive,” Puneet said.
“For those who think I am faking my illness, go and talk to my doctors and see how bad my health is.”
Two witnesses from Melbourne have given evidence at the extradition hearing.
Indian-born chef Jayant Dagore has said he was racially bullied at work, and clothing designer Anna Maria D’Annibale has said Indians were poorly treated in Australia.
The two witnesses have since told the Bulletin that their problem is with Australia’s systems of government, and not with its citizens.
Puneet was not a friend, and should face the full force of the law if guilty, they said. a