London, April 8 (IANS): An Indian-origin businessman from Britain has been remanded in a psychiatric hospital in South Africa after appearing in court Tuesday on charges of murdering his wife on their honeymoon trip to Cape Town in 2010.
Shrien Dewani, 33, of Bristol city appeared at the Western Cape High Court in Cape Town Tuesday, after being extradited from Britain Monday night after a three-year legal battle. He is accused of ordering the murder of his wife, 28-year-old Anni Dewani, who was shot on the outskirts of Cape Town in November 2010, BBC reported.
Dewani landed in Cape Town in a private plane early Tuesday.
On being taken to the court directly for the prosecution, the defence agreed that Dewani should be remanded in Valkenberg psychiatric hospital, Cape Town, until the next hearing May 12.
Dewani has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges.
Mthunzi Mhaga, spokesman for the South Africa department of justice, confirmed a plane was chartered to transport Dewani, a medical doctor, nurse and members of the South African police service and Interpol to South Africa.
The private plane was preferred for Dewani's transportation mainly due to security reasons and also to monitor his "peculiar medical condition".
"The situation in a commercial flight had the potential to exacerbate it. It was, therefore, paramount that his return to the country is hazard free in order to ensure that he eventually makes that court appearance without hindrance," Mhaga said.
Shrien Dewani and his wife Anni were held at gunpoint while being driven in a taxi through Gugulethu township near Cape Town in November 2010.
Dewani was thrown out of the car later that night and the body of Anni Dewani was found the next day with a single gun-shot wound on her neck.
Three men have been convicted in South Africa in the case: Xolile Mngeni, who was found guilty of shooting Anni, taxi driver Zola Tongo, who admitted to his part in the killing, and Mziwamadoda Qwabe, another accused who has also pleaded guilty to Anni's murder.
Dewani was detained in Britain under the Mental Health Act after being diagnosed with severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.