Prem Kumar: Accused murderer chants, bows during brief hearing

An accused murderer has bowed down and chanted loudly as he ignored a magistrate during a brief court hearing.

Prem Kumar, 45, faced Shepparton Magistrates Court via video link on Wednesday after he was charged with murdering a woman at a home while two children were present.

The hearing had a delayed start, with a custody officer telling the court Kumar had decided to take a late shower and was being belligerent to prison staff.

When he finally appeared on the video link, the 45-year-old was singing what sounded like a chant before he dropped to his knees and appeared to pray.

Magistrate Peter Dunn told Mr Kumar his case had been adjourned to March but the accused ignored the magistrate’s direction, instead continuing to chant.

Mr Dunn then instructed his clerk to disconnect the link.

The magistrate noted Mr 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.

Mr 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.

Mr Kumar is seen to be instructing the children to praise countries including Australia and India, before saying they were all safe.

He will return to Shepparton Magistrates Court for a committal mention hearing on March 18.

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