Ajith Kumar Mupparapu faces extradition over alleged Hyderabad murder case/Image: Representative Image
Ajith Kumar Mupparapu, 46, is wanted in connection with the alleged attacks on his former wife, Sirisha Muttavarapu, and her family in Hyderabad in 2023, after the couple separated. Relatives consumed food prepared with the ingredients while they were in Hyderabad for a family wedding in June 2023. Prosecutors said testing showed arsenic levels in the family members’ blood and urine were more than 20 times the normal level.
Prosecutors allege that Mupparapu arranged for chilli powder and salt contaminated with arsenic to be sent to the family’s home. Muttavarapu’s mother, Uma Maheshwari, died the following month. Mupparapu’s lawyers challenged the extradition, arguing there was not enough evidence linking him to the arsenic found at the family’s home or establishing his involvement in the alleged attempts to kill Rao.
An Indian-origin pharmacist living in Britain can be extradited to Hyderabad to face trial over allegations that he poisoned his former wife’s family with arsenic and plotted to kill her father, a London court ruled on Friday, Reuters reported.
Judge John Zani rejected the challenge, finding that the evidence presented established at least an arguable case against Mupparapu. The judge also accepted assurances from Indian authorities regarding his treatment in custody. Mupparapu can challenge the extradition decision at the High Court.
His lawyer did not immediately comment on Friday’s ruling.