INDIA
The American Bazaar
Catholic priest accused of sexually assaulting 14-year-old girl in Minnesota loses appeal in India’s High Court to stop extradition
By The American Bazaar Staff
WASHINGTON, DC: Roman Catholic priest Rev. Joseph Palanivel Jeyapaul, 59, who has been incarcerated at the Tihar Jail in New Delhi for over two years, lost his appeal in the High Court in New Delhi on Friday, to stop being extradited to the US, to face trial in Minnesota over allegations of sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl during his time of service there nearly 10 years ago.
Justice Pratibha Rani ordered extradition of Jeyapaul to the US, saying there was no fault in the decisions of the Indian government and the trial court, reported the Business Standard.
“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 there is a “prima facie” case against Jeyapaul, warranting his extradition.
Jeyapaul had approached the High Court after the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) rejected his representation challenging the trial court’s order. MEA had on October 31 issued an order to extradite him.
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