Hannah police start extradition

Maninder Pal Singh Kohli appeared in front of the media in Kalimpong

Extradition proceedings have begun against a man accused of the rape and murder of UK teenager Hannah Foster.

Indian police arrested a man named as Maninder Pal Singh Kohli at a motel in the eastern state of West Bengal near the border with Nepal.

He is suspected of murdering the 17-year-old in Britain in March 2003.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said they wanted to bring Mr Kohli back to the UK to stand trial and were preparing evidence to send to India.

We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Indian people Trevor Foster Fosters praise Indian help

Det Insp Dave Crouch, of Hampshire Police, said officers were working with the CPS to start proceedings - but it could take some time.

He said: "There is a natural process to be followed which is complex but must be carefully adhered to in order to ensure that it is done correctly to give us the best possible chance of being successful in our application for extradition.

"However, Mr Kohli does have a right to waive extradition which would speed up the process, but it is too early to say whether that option will be taken."

He said the completed file of evidence would be sent to Indian prosecutors.

Court appearance

Mr Crouch said: "We have been advised that it can take between six and 12 months for a full extradition hearing to be held and a decision given.

"Mr Kohli is currently under arrest on a warrant sworn out at Southampton Magistrates' Court, in relation to alleged offences of kidnap, rape and murder."

It is not yet known at which UK court Mr Kohli would be tried.

Kalimpong district police superintendent Rageev Mishra told BBC News Online Mr Kohli appeared in court in Kalimpong, West Bengal, on Friday and was remanded into custody until 29 July.

Hannah Foster was strangled to death in 2003 in Southampton

Det Supt Alan Betts, leading the murder inquiry for Hampshire Police, has arrived in West Bengal and will meet police there shortly.

A Hampshire Police spokeswoman said: "We are as satisfied as we can be without fingerprint or DNA confirmation that the man arrested in West Bengal on Wednesday is Maninder Pal Singh Kohli."

Mr Betts is expected to discuss the extradition process with his Bengali counterparts.

Hannah's parents, Trevor and Hilary Foster, spoke at a press conference in Mr Kohli's home city of Chandigarh in India's Punjab state to praise the Indian police and citizens.

'Hearts and minds'

Mr Foster said: "We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to the Indian people.

"Not only have you come forward with new and important information to facilitate this arrest but you have taken Hilary and I, strangers from a distant country, into your hearts and minds."

Police in Kalimpong said Mr Kohli offered no resistance when he was captured during an early morning raid.

Mr Kohli, who lived in Southampton with his wife and two young children, went to India two days after Hannah's body was found in undergrowth in West End, on the outskirts of the city.