US wants Indian extradited

The MEA has moved a Delhi court seeking an inquiry into a US request for extradition of a Mumbai man wanted in a hit-and-run case in New York, reports Bhadra Sinha.

Armed with a letter from US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has moved a Delhi court seeking an inquiry into a US request for extradition of a Mumbai man wanted in a hit-and-run case in New York.

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Ganesh Upendra Shenoy allegedly ran away from the US two years ago after killing a man while driving on the streets of New York.

Shenoy has been charged with manslaughter of the second degree. Although the offence is comparable to Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code (causing death by negligence), it carries a stringent punishment of 10 years in America. A person found guilty of a hit-and-run case in India is imprisoned for two years only.

Shenoy's extradition request is supported by scientific evidence and a certificate of authentication signed by Rice. The documents also include arrest warrants issued against him by the Supreme Court County of Nassau, New York.

MEA's counsel S K Dubey said: "All the documents along with a CD carrying photographs of the accident site and a video recording of the accident have been submitted before the court of additional chief metropolitan magistrate Kamini Lau who shall hold the inquiry.'' Lau will hear the MEA's request for a warrant against Shenoy on Wednesday.

Shenoy allegedly jumped a traffic signal in the early hours of April 11, 2005 while driving beyond the permitted speed limit and collided with a car that was attempting to take a left turn at the intersection. The victim died on the spot. A criminal indictment report was filed against Shenoy in the Supreme Court, County of Nassau on August 8, 2005 following which his arrest warrants were issued on August 10, 2005.