Source : Perth Now news
A man accused of fatally stabbing his wife while their children were present has had his case delayed as his legal team waits for police material.
Srinivas Achanta, 39, returned before the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court for the first time in four months on Friday morning via a video link from a remand centre.
Police allege Mr Achanta murdered Lavanya Chappa, 39, in the evening of July 7 at the home they charged on Delatita CT in the leafy Melbourne suburb of Vermont.
The couple’s two children, aged 13 and 7, were allegedly inside the home and “not physically injured” when police arrived just before 10pm.
Mr Achanta was allegedly arrested at the scene and taken to hospital under police guard before being charged two days later.
In court, magistrate Felicity Broughton was told an adjournment had been requested in the case as there were “a number of outstanding exhibits of disclosure” still to be sent to Mr Achanta’s lawyer Ruth Parker.
Ms Broughton told Mr Achanta he would return to court on December 11.
Sporting a grey beard and glasses, he responded: “Thank you”.
The hearing comes after police were given a longer-than-usual period of three months to prepare their case against Mr Achanta and serve it on his lawyers.
He has not been required to enter a plea to the charge.
Ms Chappa was remembered as a loving mother and devoted family member in an online fundraiser set up after her death by her cousin Govind to support her children.
“She worked as a Software Quality Analyst at Civica Asia Pacific, where she was respected for her professionalism, dedication, and kind-hearted nature,” her cousin wrote.
“She will be remembered for her warmth, compassion, and the positive impact she had on everyone fortunate enough to know her.
“May Lavanya rest in eternal peace. Her love, kindness, and legacy will live on through her young kids, and through the countless lives she touched.”
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