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NRI asked to pay $4 m in death suit

Source:PTI
May 16, 2005 18:06 IST

A woman, whose daughter was killed during a trip to India with her non-resident Indian fiancé two years ago, has been awarded $ 4 million by a US court in a wrongful death lawsuit.

Judge Isabel B. Stark of a New Jersey court, awarded the sum to Madeleine Swiderski, who had sued NRI businessman Pragnesh Desai, claiming he was liable for the death of 33-year-old Leona, an aspiring model. Desai maintains his innocence and is fighting extradition from India.

He and Leona flew to India in February 2003, a few weeks before they planned to get married. Leona disappeared shortly after the plane landed in Mumbai and, days later, her body was found near a highway. Desai was later charged with hiring a childhood friend to kill Leona to collect $1 million in life insurance.

Although the pair was acquitted at a trial in India, authorities there are appealing.

Desai moved to the US 20 years ago and owns conveniences stores in New Jersey and a stake in two restaurants in Manhattan. The judgment consists of $1 million for pain and suffering and $3 million for economic losses, including an estimate of the amount of money Leona would have made throughout her life.

Earlier links:

US charges Indian for fiancé's murder

Murder case: NRI loses US passport

Source: PTI
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