Australian state offers Rs 57 lakh for info on UT-born fugitive lad

Hofstee was walking with his friend Clancy Coker when they were struck by a vehicle being driven by Puneet. Both suffered serious injuries. Coker survived but Hofstee died on the spot.

Experts estimate at the time of the accident,Puneet was driving at 148 km/h in a 60km/h zone. Puneet’s blood alcohol reading was more than three times the legal limit for a fully licensed driver and as a learner driver,it should have been zero.

Puneet was granted bail on strict conditions,including the surrender of his Indian passport,but failed to attend his August 2009 court hearing in Melbourne. The authorities later discovered that Puneet had left Australia on June 12,2009,using the passport of another Indian student Sukhcharanjit Singh.

In March 2011,Singh pleaded guilty to perverting the course of justice. Singh was convicted and sentenced to two and a half years’ imprisonment.

The Victorian Government has offered approximately Rs 57 lakh reward for information which leads to Puneet’s location,arrest and subsequent return to Victoria. Puneet is believed to be living in India although his exact whereabouts are unknown.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton said that the reward was an important step towards resolving the matter and ensuring justice was done.

“Our initial investigation resulted in Puneet being charged with extremely serious criminal offences. We want Puneet to have his day in court. We believe that there are people in Australia and India who can provide information in relation to Puneet’s whereabouts. Puneet’s actions caused the victim’s families a lot of anguish. We ask that anyone with any piece of information,no matter how small or insignificant,to contact police or Crime Stoppers”,he said.

The Australian Federal Police based in New Delhi have been working with the Central Bureau of Investigation in relation to this case.