British court orders NRI extradition to South Africa

NRI businessman Shrien Dewani,accused of plotting the murder of his Indian-origin wife during their honeymoon in 2010,will be extradited from Britain to South Africa

NRI businessman Shrien Dewani,accused of plotting the murder of his Indian-origin wife during their honeymoon in 2010,will be extradited from Britain to South Africa to face justice,a UK court ruled Wednesday.

A judge at Westminster Magistrates Court here decided that it would not be unjust or oppressive to extradite the 33-year-old,accused of plotting to kill his Swedish-born Indian wife in South Africa in November 2010. Dewanis lawyers now have 14 days to appeal against the order.

Anni,31,was shot when a taxi in which the couple were travelling was hijacked in the Gugulethu township near Cape Town while the couple were on their honeymoon. She was found dead in the back of the abandoned vehicle.

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A spokesperson for the Dewani family said the defence team would review the judgment and lodge an appeal,during which time he would remain in the UK. Shrien Dewani remains unfit to be extradited or to face trial, said the spokesperson.

The Bristol-based businessman,who denies any involvement in his wifes murder,was seeking to delay his extradition on account of his mental health. He had been excused from appearing in court,having been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and depression and has been receiving treatment.

His risk of suicide is real but not immediate,and while he remains moderately depressed he is better than he was,the court was told Wednesday. It is not in question that Shrien Dewani will be returned to South Africa. The treating clinicians continue to state that Dewani will recover, said District Judge Howard Riddle in his ruling.

It may be a long time before Mr Dewani is fit to plead,but he may be closer to that point, he added.