Singh, 38, appeared at Melbourne Magistrates Court on Wednesday afternoon, flanked by two custody officers, after arriving on a flight from India just after 1pm.

Queensland Police applied for Singh to be extradited as they suspect he murdered Cordingley, 24, in October 2018.

Her body was found in sand dunes after she took her dog for a walk on Wangetti Beach, north of Cairns.

Singh, a local nurse and an Australian citizen, boarded a flight to India hours after Cordingley’s body was found, leaving his wife and three children behind at their Innisfail home.

Former federal assistant minister to Attorney-General Amanda Stoker issued an arrest warrant to Indian authorities for an unnamed suspect in the case in May 2021.

Magistrate Martin Grinberg asked for Queensland authorities to give evidence to the court on Wednesday about why Singh was brought to Melbourne.

Queensland Police Acting Superintendent Kevin Goan revealed police found DNA and phone evidence that allegedly linked Singh to the killing.

“Investigators are relying upon DNA evidence, which links Mr Singh to her homicide,” he told the court.

“There is some other evidence, including telephone evidence, which suggests the movement of her mobile phone with Mr Singh’s phone, in proximity, that travelled to the western side of Cairns.

“As a result of that, other investigations were conducted and an arrest warrant was issued for him.”

He said police were arranging for Singh to be transported to Queensland via private air charter, and he hoped that will occur on Thursday, but it may not happen until Friday.

“We’ve engaged a brokerage to get a charter service. They’re asking for tomorrow but availability is limited and it may be Friday,” Goan said.

Grinberg ordered Singh be placed on a flight to be extradited to Queensland on Thursday.

He was remanded in custody and will appear at a court in Cairns later this week.