Alleged killer to face Indian court on Wednesday, extradition process gets underway
COURT TIME
The main suspect in the murder of former Port Douglas Paws and Claws volunteer Toyah Cordingley will face court on Wednesday afternoon (Douglas Shire time) in India just days after his dramatic arrest in New Delhi, India.
Indian national Rajwinder Singh fled Cairns for India just days after being identified as a key person in the alleged murder of the beloved Cairns local.
Newsport understands Singh was nabbed by Indian Cell Police on his way to a morning doctor’s appointment in New Delhi. Queensland Police are yet to formally confirm if the $1M reward played a role in Singh’s capture.
It’s further understood Singh had been regularly switching his place of residence between the Indian cities of Punjab, Haryana, and New Delhi.
Singh presented with a markedly different appearance upon his arrest. A photo of the suspect identified him with a long black beard with white tinges and wearing a turban or pagri, as it’s referred to in Indian language.
Last Friday, Queensland Police Service Commissioner Katarina Carroll, Police Minister Mark Ryan and the Australian Federal Police confirmed the arrest of Singh for the alleged murder of Ms Cordingley at Wangetti Beach on October 22, 2018.
It’s understood Ms Cordingley’s friends and extended family took the opportunity to celebrate the arrest of the suspect by having a few celebratory drinks over the weekend.
Singh remains in Tihar prison, a large correctional facility in Delhi, ahead of Wednesday's court appearance.
*Newsport apologizes in advance to any of Ms Cordingley's immediate family or friends that may find the main picture used in this story distressing.