Australian Woman Murder Case: Rajvinder Singh Consents to Extradition

The accused in the murder of an Australian woman in 2018 has agreed to be extradited to the country from Delhi. Rajvinder Singh was arrested by Delhi special cell on November 25 last year and has a case pending against him in Australia.

During his last hearing on January 7 at Delhi’s Patiala House Court, Rajvinder Singh gave a statement where he agreed to extradition to Australia. The statement was recorded by Link Metropolitan Magistrate Anamika in the presence of his counsel Love Deep Gaur. “He is willing to go to Australia. He has no objection if he is extradited. He is ready to face the trial in Australia. He is aware of the extradition proceedings and their consequences. He also said he is aware a case is pending against him in Australia,” the recorded statement read.

Singh was in Australia for 10 years and was working as a nurse in Queensland. He got citizenship by marrying an Australian woman citizen. In 2018, he was accused of murdering Ms Cordingley, 24, at Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns, in the month of October. Two days after the incident, Singh fled the country and left his wife and three children behind. Queensland Police had previously offered a reward of $1 million AUD ($9,02,800 CAD or Rs. 5.4 crores approximately) for knowledge of his whereabouts. His brother, however, claimed that his return to India was purely coincidental and that he is not capable of murder.

The 38-year-old accused denies the murder and says he will explain everything in the Australian court. He stated that he wanted his case to be investigated by Australian police. He expressed his “desire” before the Court to go to Australia and contest his case in December last year.

The prosecution is hoping that Singh is brought to Australia within this month. But a new judge is now looking over the case so there may be some delays.

Vineet Washington