The murder trial of a former UBC Okanagan student has been postponed due to medical reasons.
The trial, which was set to begin on Monday, has been delayed until further notice. The accused, Tejwant Danjou, is facing a second-degree murder charge in the death of his ex-girlfriend, Rama Gauravarapu.
According to court documents, Danjou’s lawyer, Donna Turko, requested the postponement due to her client’s medical condition. The specific details of Danjou’s condition have not been disclosed.
The Crown prosecutor, Colin Forsyth, did not oppose the request for postponement, stating that he wanted to ensure a fair trial for both the accused and the victim’s family.
Gauravarapu, a 27-year-old engineering student, was found dead in a hotel room in July 2018. Danjou was arrested and charged with her murder shortly after.
The trial was initially scheduled to begin in March 2020, but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was then rescheduled for September 2021, but has now been postponed again.
The new trial date will be determined once Danjou’s medical condition has been assessed and deemed fit for trial.
In the meantime, Danjou remains in custody. The victim’s family has been notified of the postponement and is said to be understanding of the situation.
The court has also ordered a publication ban on any evidence or information presented during the trial, in order to protect the integrity of the proceedings.
This is a developing story and we will continue to provide updates as they become available.
