An alleged murderer created a spectacle in court by bowing and chanting loudly, disregarding the magistrate’s presence during a brief hearing.
Forty-five-year-old Prem Kumar appeared before the Shepparton Magistrates Court through a video link, facing charges of murdering a woman while two children were allegedly at the scene.
The proceedings were delayed after a custody officer informed the court that Kumar had opted for a late shower and was uncooperative with prison staff.
Upon finally making his video appearance, Kumar was observed singing a chant and then dropping to his knees as if in prayer.
Magistrate Peter Dunn attempted to inform Kumar that his case would be postponed until March. However, Kumar chose to ignore these instructions, continuing his chanting instead.
Subsequently, Dunn directed his clerk to terminate the video connection.
The magistrate noted Kumar had a psychiatric illness and bipolar disorder listed as custody management issues.
Kumar’s lawyer requested the adjournment to March 18, noting his client would be undergoing an assessment in January.
Police allege Kumar murdered the 32-year-old woman at a house in the northern Victorian town of Cobram on August 19.
The pair were known to each other but detectives declined to confirm the nature of their relationship.
Two young children were also at the home at the time of the alleged murder but were not injured, police say.
Kumar allegedly posted a series of videos and comments to Facebook around the time of the woman’s death.
The videos allegedly showed two children dressed in pyjamas and riding on scooters in the driveway of the Cobram home.
Kumar is seen to be instructing the children to praise countries including Australia and India, before saying they were all safe.
Kumar will return to Shepparton Magistrates Court for a committal mention hearing on March 18.
