Puneet Puneet at a court appearance in September. Credit:Amrit Dhillon

New Delhi Runaway driver Puneet Puneet has been declared fit to stand trial for extradition to Australia by a court in the Indian capital.

Having read a report by doctors who examined Puneet Puneet to assess his psychological state, Justice Gurmohina Kaur said on Monday at Patiala House Court: "The doctors say he is able to take care of himself and that there is no reason why he is not fit to stand trial as he has no mental disability."

The ruling marked a significant moment in a long drawn out process.

Puneet fled to India to avoid being sentenced in Australia for the 2008 death of Queensland student Dean Hofstee in Melbourne. He was a 19-year-old learner driver when he killed Hofstee and also seriously injured Clancy Coker in the same crash.