Patiala, July 14, 2004
Parminder Sanghera

Jagjit Singh Kohli, 70 yrs old, father of Maninder Pal Singh Kohli is an empathetic man who shares Hannah parents' pain and doesn't shy away from saying he should be hanged if guilty. "I can understand their pain. Even I have a daughter. If my son is guilty of the rape and murder, he should be hanged publicly," Jagjit said at his home here a day before Hannah's parents reach Punjab.

Jagjit Singh Kohl has never been in the media spotlight. And as his son Maninder Pal Singh Kohli continues to be on the run and reporters as well as police hound him for answers, he doesn't want to ever be in the spotlight again - for all the remaining years of his life. He said he had no clue about Maninder's whereabouts. "I don't even know if he is dead or alive. He has not contacted us even on telephone."

Jagjit is expected to come face to face with Hilary and Trevor Foster this week as they make a 10-day trip to Maninder's home state to track down the killer of their daughter.

Hannah parents are also expected to meet senior Punjab Police officials investigating the sensational case. Punjab additional director general of police (crime) K.K. Attri had said earlier that Maninder had escaped because of information from the British Police coming several days after the incident.