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A man wanted for questioning in relation to the killing of Toyah Cordingley near Cairns in 2018 has been arrested in India.
The arrest of former Innisfail nurse, Rajwinder Singh, comes less than one month after the Queensland Government offered a one-million-dollar reward for information on his whereabouts.
Ms Cordingley was found dead at Wangetti Beach in October 2018. She had been walking her dog in the area and failed to return home.
Rajwinder Singh flew from Cairns to Sydney one day after her death and travelled to India a day later.
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Australian authorities made a request to extradite him from India in March 2021.
Queensland Police Commissioner, Katarina Carroll, said a man had been arrested in New Delhi and would appear before an Indian court soon.
She said the process of extraditing him to Australia would commence soon, but it was too soon to determine if the $1 million reward would be paid out.
Commissioner Carroll said Queensland and Federal Police have been working closely with Indian police to locate the suspect.
“Police received information on the whereabouts of the individual, and today he was arrested by Indian law enforcement in New Delhi.
“The man was believed to be avoiding apprehension in the Punjab region of India since travelling to the country on the 23rd of October 2018.
“It is anticipated he will face court in India and be subject to extradition proceedings to Australia.
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“It was never a question of if, only when this day would come.”
Commissioner Carroll said investigators had built a comprehensive case and she’s confident it’s ready to go to court.
Police Minister, Mark Ryan, said Toyah’s family has been told of the arrest, and police in Cairns who investigated the death are elated at news of the arrest.
“I did earlier on ring (lead investigator) Detective Superintendent Sonia Smith, and she was breathless.
“I think that reflects the emotion and the milestone today represents.
“I can appreciate how she and her team would be feeling.”
Main points
- Man arrested in New Delhi in relation to the death of Toyah Cordingley
- He will appear in an Indian court before extradition process begins
- Toyah's family have been told of the arrest
