The Hindu : National : British couple on trail of their daughter's killer

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Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004

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National

British couple on trail of their daughter's killer

By Our Staff Reporter

IN TEARS: Trevor and Hilary Foster, parents of British student Hannah Foster, who was raped and killed in March 2003 in England, allegedly by a Sikh migrant, addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday. - Photo: Anu Pushkarna

NEW DELHI, JULY 13. The parents of a 17-year-old British girl, Hannah Foster, who was criminally assaulted and murdered allegedly by an Indian national in March last year at Southampton, U.K., have appealed to the people in India to help them trace the accused and bring him to book.

The British police have announced a reward of Rs. 50 lakhs for information on his whereabouts.

Hannah, a final year A-Level student at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh, was missing from the night of March 14. She had gone out with her friends. She is suspected to have been abducted from near her Portswood residence and her body was found dumped in a lane two days later. The post-mortem examination revealed that Hannah had been criminally assaulted and then strangled.

Investigations by the Hampshire police pointed to the involvement of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, who lived near Hannah's residence with his wife. Kohli, who fled to India, was subsequently traced to his native place, Chandigarh. He was last spotted at his brother's Ambala residence.

At a press conference here today, Hannah's father, Trevor Foster, said: ``Perhaps, you are thinking why you should help us find this man. I believe the reason is because you, the people of India, have a strong sense of moral decency and a strong belief in justice, just as we do. Every parent in India will share our anguish at the cruel loss of a loved and loving daughter, who was respectful, loyal, hardworking and generous. Knowing that we were not there to help her in her hour of great need leaves us with a sense of guilt, which we will carry with us to our graves. Please help us to find Kohli. By letting him remain free, you may be putting your own daughters at risk."

Mr. Foster said he had written to the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Rao Inderjit Singh, and the Punjab Chief Minister, Amarinder Singh, seeking their help. "When we visit Chandigarh, we are hoping to meet the officials investigating the case."

Information about Kohli's whereabouts can be provided on the toll-free number 1-600-12-1233, Touchtel number 0124-504-7848 and a United Kingdom toll-free number 0800-032-9937. Elsewhere, the call can be made on +91-124-504-7848.

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