It may be years before the court is able to decide the fate of the alleged killer of Brisbane bus driver Manmeet Alisher.
The court heard that the accused had not been referred to the mental health court in the absence of a psychiatric report to ascertain if he is fit to stand a trial.
"These matters seem to take, with these sort of charges, at least two to three years to proceed," the Magistrate said on Thursday.While the prosecutors await the psychiatric report, the mental health callover was adjourned until May when it is hoped the report would be ready,reported.
Drivers and member of the Rail Tram and Bus Union members outside the court. Source: Supplied
The 48-year-old accused is in custody at a mental health facility.
29-year-old Manmeet Alisher, a popular figure in Australia’s Punjabi community was killed when the accused attacked him with an incendiary device while Mr Alisher had stopped at a bus stop to pick up passengers on October 28 last year.More than a dozen other passengers were trapped in the bus that quickly caught fire.
Drivers and member of the Rail Tram and Bus Union members outside the court. Source: Supplied
Besides a murder charge, the accused who was subject to an involuntary treatment order is also facing 14 charges of attempted murder.
Manmeet Alisher’s death prompted the Indian prime minister Narendra Modi to take up the matter with Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull after the family of the deceased alleged that it was a crime motivated by race.