Queensland prosecutors struggling to extradite Dr Death

Prosecutors in Queensland are struggling to extradite disgraced Indian born rogue surgeon Dr Jayant Patel from the United States on charges of manslaughter.

Melbourne, Aug 4 : Prosecutors in Queensland are struggling to extradite disgraced Indian born rogue surgeon Dr Jayant Patel from the United States on charges of manslaughter.

Dr Patel alias Dr. Death, has been linked to 17 deaths at the Bundaberg Base Hospital in Queensland during his two years as director of surgery.

Even after 18 months, Queensland prosecutors say they have failed to meet a standard of proof required in the US to extradite Dr Patel.

Authorities in Queensland say they are not ready to apply for Patel's extradition and admit to having been told by US authorities to strengthen their case.

The Government of Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has been pressing for Patel's extradition from the US, The Courier Mail reported.

The report said the US will only agree to Dr Patel's extradition if Queensland can prove the intent element in his case.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions denied that proceedings against Dr Patel were being delayed.

"Consultation between the relevant authorities and the need to refine aspects of the documentation is normal practice in extradition proceedings involving overseas jurisdictions, especially in relation to matters as complex as this one," the spokeswoman said.

"The warrants issued late last year in relation to a number of charges against Jayant Patel, including three charges of manslaughter and five charges of grievous bodily harm, remain in force and the extradition application is being finalised on that basis," she added.

Originally, it was announced that Dr Patel would face four counts of manslaughter, eight of grievous bodily harm and 16 of fraud.

A commission of inquiry into the circumstances found that the Indian-trained surgeon had contributed to the death of 17 patients, and that he had operated outside the scope of his expertise.

Dr. Patel fled to the US on April 1 2005 after allegations of medical incompetence were raised in the Queensland Parliament.

It sparked off a political nightmare for Premier Peter Beattie, who established a commission of inquiry and introduced sweeping health reforms intended to fix a crippled health system.

Last November, warrants were issued for Patel's arrest on a number of charges, including three of manslaughter and five of causing grievous bodily harm, and now authorities are working to have him extradited from the US.

ANI