A Delhi court has dismissed Hannah Foster murder case accused Maninder Pal Singh Kohli's plea for initiating contempt proceedings against the victim's parents.
Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate Kamini Lau held "any honest attempt to secure an early disposal of judicial proceedings is not contempt per se", adding that an honest expression of existing facts did not amount to interfering with the administration of justice.
The accused had, on February 15, alleged that Trevor and Hilary Foster, by seeking the intervention of the President, Prime Minister and the Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court to expedite his extradition, were attempting to interfere with the court.
Kohli, who is wanted by Scotland Yard for his alleged involvement in the 2003 rape and murder of the British teenager, is facing extradition proceedings in a trial court here.
Admitting that delays in disposal of cases was a reality, the court said the concerns of the parents of the deceased was only a "natural instinct".
"The remarks of the respondents only reflect the frustration of the millions of those who are involved in court battles in one form or the other," the court said.
Appearing for the Union of India, counsels AK Vali and NK Matta had argued that the application filed by the accused was merely a tactic to delay the extradition proceedings being heard by the court.
{{/usCountry}}Appearing for the Union of India, counsels AK Vali and NK Matta had argued that the application filed by the accused was merely a tactic to delay the extradition proceedings being heard by the court.
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