Delhi Court rejects Indonesia’s extradition request for American chiropractor

Delhi court discharges American chiropractor sought by Indonesia over patient death, citing lack of evidence in extradition case.

A Delhi court on Thursday (March 6, 2025) discharged an American chiropractor whose extradition was sought by Indonesia over an alleged case of malpractice following the death of a patient in the southeast Asian country in 2015.

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Randall John Cafferty had fled Indonesia for the U.S. soon after the death of his 32-year-old patient, Allya Siska Nadya, on August 7, 2015. He was arrested immediately after he landed in India in September 2017 due to a red corner notice issued by the Interpol.

Mr. Cafferty was lodged in Tihar jail for four months before being released on bail in February 2018. After his release, Mr. Cafferty lived in Delhi to participate in an extradition enquiry conducted by the court.

After the death of his patient, the Indonesian government had reportedly initiated a crackdown on chiropractic clinics run by foreigners in the country.

In the 32-page judgment, the Court of Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate Pranav Joshi said “prima facie case against FC (Fugitive Criminal) Mr. Randall John Cafferty is not made out in respect of the offence under Article 359 of the Indonesian Penal Code under Section 7(3) of the Extradition Act, 1962 and FC stands discharged”.

Mr. Cafferty, represented by advocate Ajay Verma, contested the claim that the death of the patient was a result of negligence. Mr. Verma contended that the death occurred due to the medications given by the PondokIndah Hospital and not by the therapy given by Mr. Cafferty.