Observing that there is a valid and binding extradition treaty between India and Chile, the Supreme Court today dismissed a plea of a jailed French woman facing extradition to Chile for her alleged role in the murder of a senator there in 1991.
A bench comprising justices M B Lokur and N V Ramana directed the trial court to proceed with extradition proceedings.
"On the basis of material available on record, we find that there is a valid and binding extradition treaty between India and Chile. We direct the magistrate at Patiala House Court to continue with the extradition proceedings. The petition stands dismissed," the bench said.
Earlier on October 9 last year, the Supreme Court had sought response from the Centre on the plea of a jailed French woman challenging her arrest and the ongoing extradition proceedings at the request of Chile for her alleged involvement in 1991 assassination of a senator there.
Besides seeking "immediate release" of Marie Emmanuelle Verhoeven, the plea filed through lawyer Ramni Taneja, had also sought a direction to the External Affairs Ministry, which is pursuing the extradition proceedings on behalf of Chile, to quash the ongoing inquiry before the magisterial court.
The plea had also sought quashing of the extradition request, made on March 24, 2015 by the Government of Chile through the Ministry before the court here.
Verhoeven, arrested on February 16 last year from Uttar Pradesh on the basis of a red corner notice issued against her, is alleged to have participated in a conspiracy leading to the assassination of Chilean Senator Jaime Guzman Errazuriz on April 1, 1991.
