DETECTIVES investigating the killing of Southampton teenager Hannah Foster were today analysing an Indian court ruling to go ahead with the extradition of the prime suspect.

The country's supreme court has said it would not halt the procedure to send Maninder Pal Singh Kohli back from India to Hampshire for questioning, as reported in later editions of yesterday's Daily Echo.

His lawyers tried to make a last-ditch appeal against deportation but the court refused to accept it. However, it is unclear what will happen next as a date has been set for a further hearing in India. It is believed Kohli may not have to attend this.

The latest development comes three years after Kohli was arrested in India in 2004 following an appeal by Hannah's parents Hilary and Trevor, of Portswood.

It is not known when investigating officers will be able to fly to India and return the former sandwich delivery driver to Hampshire where he will be questioned about the abduction, rape and killing of the 17-year-old student in March 2003.

Hannah, a student at Eastleigh's Barton Peveril College, vanished as she walked home after a night out with friends in Southampton.

Two days later her body was found at the side of Allington Lane in West End.