This Article is From Sep 10, 2015

Honeymoon Murder Accused May Face UK Inquest

Honeymoon Murder Accused May Face UK Inquest

File photo of Indian-origin British businessman Shrien Dewani.

London: British-Indian millionaire businessman Shrien Dewani, who was cleared of his Indo-Swedish wife's murder during their honeymoon in South Africa, may face questions related to her inquest in the UK.

Mr Shrien was cleared last year of orchestrating the killing of 28-year-old Anni Dewani, who was fatally shot as the couple drove through the outskirts of Cape Town on November 14, 2010.

Anni's father Vinod Hindocha and uncle Ashok Hindocha appeared at north London Coroner's Court today to argue that Shrien should attend an inquest and answer their questions.

However, coroner Andrew Walker told the family that Mr Shrien had a right not to answer questions that may incriminate himself and raised doubts over whether an inquest would take place.

"My view, members of the family, is that in these circumstances it would serve no purpose to hold an inquest because I would not be able to answer the questions that an inquest sets out to answer.

"I'm going to direct that your questions are sent to Mr (Shrien) Dewani - and Mr Dewani is to indicate whether he would be prepared to answer those questions," Walker said.

Mr Shrien was extradited to South Africa last year but the case collapsed after a judge found that it was "riddled with inconsistencies".

In a statement read out to the court as the trial began, the 34-year-old described himself as bisexual and admitted he had slept with male prostitutes, 'The Guardian' reported.

Three men - Zola Tongo, Mziwamadoda Qwabe and Xolile Mngeni - were given jail terms for their role in the killing.

They claimed Shrien arranged a hijacking-gone-wrong in which he would survive while his wife was killed.

Asked why the family wanted an inquest to go ahead, Anni's uncle said: "The main reason is that we would like to know what really happened".

The motive of this case was never properly heard in South Africa.

"Members of Scotland Yard and other witnesses never got a chance to speak because the judge thought it was not important - if he [Shrien] is gay or bisexual, she didn't want to know about that. So there is an issue about the motive."

The inquest into Anni Dewani's death opened in 2010 but was suspended pending the criminal investigation. Another hearing is now scheduled for October 9.

 
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