The Delhi High Court today upheld a trial court order recommending extradition of an Indian Catholic priest who is accused of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl during his stay in US in 2004.
Justice Pratibha Rani ordered extradition of accused Rev Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul to the US, saying there was no fault in the decisions of the Centre and trial court recommending his extradition.
"This court is unable to find any fault in the finding of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and the lower court," Justice Rani said, adding that their is a "prima facie" case against Jeyapaul, warranting his extradition.
Jeyapaul, 59, had approached the High Court after MEA rejected his representation challenging the trial court's order. MEA had on October 31 issued an order to extradite him.
The High Court, however, had on November 3 restrained the Centre from extraditing him.
Later, the Central Government Standing Counsel Ripudaman Bhardwaj and advocate T P Singh had stated that "the complaint as well as the victim's affidavit clearly describe the manner in which the offence was committed and that too repeatedly.
"Even here in India, the apex court has time and again reiterated the principle of law in respect of rape cases that conviction can be done on the sole testimony of the victim."
Jeyapaul was arrested on March 16, 2012 at Chimitahalli near Sathyamangalam in Erode district of Tamil Nadu and has since been lodged in Tihar jail.
The trial court had said that a "prima facie" a case was made out for Jeyapaul's extradition.
If extradited, he will stand trial on the charge of a "first degree criminal sexual conduct" in Minnesota. If convicted for offences alleged against him there, the accused may get a jail term of up to 30 years.
