Detectives are making final preparations to fly to India to bring the prime suspect in the killing of Hannah Foster back home.

Justice chiefs in India this morning ruled that they would not stop the extradition of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli so he can be questioned in the UK over the rape, abduction and death of Hannah.

It comes after counsel for the former sandwich delivery driver tried to submit a last-ditch appeal through the country's Supreme Court to stop him being deported.

Sources in India have revealed that following the request they refused to stay the extradition, but confusion remained because a date has also been set for a hearing which the Daily Echo understands Kohli may not have to be present at.

Officers leading the investigation, codenamed Operation Springfield, were thought to be trying to make sense of the ruling, made early today.

It's thought top-level talks involving Crown Prosecution Service chiefs from the county would be taking place throughout today to determine whether Kohli can be back back to the UK immediately.

Hannah's parents, Hilary and Trevor, said they were eagerly waiting for more clarification.

It's the final step in a lengthy legal battle that has taken place in New Delhi since Kohli was arrested in 2004. He was captured after Mr and Mrs Foster travelled to the country the year after their daughter's death in March 2003.

Since then he has made numerous court appearances and his counsel have lodged appeals with magistrates and also in the High Court, which were eventually thrown out.

When he is deported, Kohli will be the first person ever to be extradited from India by a British police force.

Hampshire police were this morning only confirming they remained "on standby"and discussions were taking place following the latest announcement. It is unclear when they will be leaving but it's presumed that Kohli could be back in the country within weeks.

Hannah vanished as she walked home after a night out with friends. Two days later her body was found at the side of Allington Lane in West End.