Charles Sobhraj hearing in Kathmandu

New Delhi: The Nepalese Supreme Court is set to give its verdict on Charles Sobhraj's appeal against conviction in the Connie Bronwich murder case.

Sobhraj, also known by other non-flattering names such as Serpent’, ‘Conman’, ‘Jewel-thief’ and ‘bikini-killer’, was found guilty of the murder of American backpacker, Connie Jo Bronzich and was sentenced to life in prison in 2004 by the Kathmandu district court.

The Nepalese police claim that Sobhraj, a French national, killed Bronzich in 1975. Sobhraj has in the past been accused of being a serial killer and a drug-dealer.

Sobhraj, who is now 64 years old with half Indian, half Vietnamese parentage, is one of the most suave lawbreakers of our times.

In fact Sobhraj has been featured in many books, documentaries and feature films. From France to India to Bangkok, the 'Serpent's' notoriety is legendary.

Sobhraj’s tryst with Nepalese law began at the Manohara Bridge near Koteshwar in Nepal’s Kathmandu district, nearly 32 years ago.

After several trysts with the law in scores of other countries, Sobhraj returned to Nepal in 2003. Soon the Nepalese police arrested him in connection with the Bronzich murder.

An unfazed Sobhraj appealed to the Supreme Court of Nepal, which initially sent the case back to the lower courts for re-trial on technical grounds. Sobhraj, of course, cried foul.

"The two judges don't want to be the ones to acquit me and face criticism by a section of the Nepalese media who have been after me since four years. But I am shocked that on the excuse of reopening the so-called passport case, they have reopened the Bronzich case," he said.

Sobhraj has been making headlines with his newfound ladylove Nihita Biswas, the twenty something daughter of his lawyer Shakuntala Thapa.

The criminal mastermind hopes that he will be released soon and allowed to go to Paris, where he plans to marry Biswas.

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