London, July 24 (IANS) A British court ruled Wednesday that Indian-origin businessman Shrien Dewani should be extradited to South Africa to face trial for plotting to kill his wife during their honeymoon.
Westminster’s Chief Magistrate Howard Riddle said the 33-year-old businessman should return to the country despite fears for his mental health, The Sun reported.
The defence team of Shrien Dewani, accused of ordering murder of his newly-wedded wife Anni, 28, during their honeymoon in South Africa, had argued that he could suffer setbacks in his treatment, and thus, the decision should be delayed by at least six months.
Anni Dewani was shot dead as the couple travelled together by taxi on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010. Her husband Shrien Dewani is presently receiving treatment for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder at mental hospitals near Bristol since his wife’s death.
On Wednesday, the courtroom at Westminster Magistrates’ Court was packed with Anni Dewani’s relatives, who wore photographs of her pinned to their clothes, decorated with pink ribbons.
The family was satisfied with the decision, said Anni’s sister Ami Denborg after the court’s ruling Wednesday.
“For us it is all about Anni, it’s all about finding out what happened…We will fight this battle to the end and this battle has just begun.”
She added that the family were hoping for a speedy recovery for Dewani so he was fit to face justice. “We just want to know what happened to Anni and this is one step.”
Of her father Vinod Hindocha, she added: “Every single time there’s a hearing he stands there, watching, seeing and thinking about Anni. She is always with us.”
