SENIOR Indian government officials have warned that the extradition of the prime suspect in the Hannah Foster murder could take a "very long time".

Maninder Pal Singh Kohli, pictured, would have to be tried in his native country on any offences there before being sent to the UK to face questioning by Hampshire police

A spokesman said: "In case he is found involved in a case, he would be tried for that in India."

The warning came as Kohli made another court appearance in India yesterday on charges of holding a forged passport.

He was brought before a Punjab court amid tight security, and remanded until August 5.

Hampshire police want to quiz Kohli, 35, over the rape and murder of 17-year-old Hannah in March 2003. He fled to India two days after Hannah's body was discovered in undergrowth on Allington Lane, West End, after she disappeared following a night out with friends.

Police quickly identified him as their main suspect, sparking a 16-month manhunt that only ended last month when he was captured by Indian police.

British and Indian authorities have started the extradition process which would bring Kohli back to the UK to face questioning over Hannah's death.