Oz High Court allows Indian- origin doc Jayant Patel's manslaughter appeal

Melbourne, Feb 10(ANI): The High Court of Australia has granted Indian-origin surgeon Jayant Patel the right to appeal regarding his manslaughter and grievous bodily harm convictions.

The special leave application was heard by video link between Brisbane and Canberra at 8.30am.

Patel's lawyers argued he should get special leave to appeal because the trial judge found the Crown could use a section of the Criminal Code in its prosecution.

They also argued the conduct of Patel's trial was unfair, news.com.au reports.

Prosecutors countered the argument saying that the trial was conducted properly and that Queensland's Court of Appeal's findings against Patel were correct.

Patel, also dubbed as Doctor Death, was convicted of three counts of manslaughter and one case of grievous bodily harm, and sentenced to seven years in jail in June 2010

The convictions related to his tenure as a Bundaberg Base Hospital surgeon between March 2003 and April 2005.

The High Court application had an added importance for Patel as he is still facing eight charges of fraud and attempted fraud in relation to gaining employment at the hospital. (ANI)