They also have records to prove that a man was killed in the identical way as Bronzich in the same month.

However, police did not take the second murder into consideration. They did not ascertain who could have murdered the second victim or, indeed, even prove his identity.

Sobhraj's lawyers will also present evidence during the hearing to substantiate their claim that police falsified so-called evidence to implicate him. The forgery, they say, is blatant because computer programmes like Photoshop were used.

In the 70s, computers had not yet made their appearance in India or Nepal.

Whether he is found guilty or innocent also hinges on the absence of original documents. So far, police have tabled only photocopies, which are not admissible in court as evidence by Nepal's laws.

The Supreme Court had in the past repeatedly asked police to produce the original documents but to no avail.

The only certainty is that Sobhraj would have to spend even this year in prison fighting his protracted legal battle without it coming to a head.