Body in undergrowth trial begins

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A man has gone on trial accused of murdering his friend's wife at a flat in Glasgow and chopping up her body.

The remains of Khusbu Shah, 21, were found in undergrowth in Coventry Drive, Dennistoun, in June.

Mrs Shah had married her husband Nagendra in Nepal in 2003 and lived in Britain for four years. She studied at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Mr Shah's friend Roshan Dantis denies murdering Mrs Shah, and later cutting up her body and disposing of it.

Mr Shah told the High Court in Glasgow how he first met Mr Dantis when they started a business course at the city's Strathclyde University.

The 32-year-old appeared emotional as he was asked by prosecutor Dorothy Bain QC to identify the accused in the dock.

'Perfect wife'

Mr Shah said he and Mr Dantis were "very close" and that he would confide in him about private matters.

Ms Bain asked: "Was he one of your best friends?"

Mr Shah replied: "Yes."

The witness told the court about a business deal, saying he spoke to Mr Dantis about a Nepalese restaurant in Lerwick, Shetland, that he and his wife were planning to buy for £180,000 in April.

However, Mr Shah said he did not talk about the figures involved in the purchase with Indian-born Mr Dantis.

Prosecutor Ms Bain asked if the couple had been happily married.

Mr Shah said: "She was well organised - a perfect wife. She managed her time well. She was perfect for everything."

Mr Dantis denies murder, attempting to defeat the ends of justice and an allegation of trying to extort £120,000 and a television from Mr Shah.

The trial, before Judge Lord Pentland, continues.