Prabhal Sharma fronts court, accused of killing wife and six-year-old daughter

The court case of a man accused of murdering his wife and young daughter in a stabbing attack has been delayed for one reason.

A Melbourne dad accused of murdering his wife and six-year-old daughter when he allegedly stabbed them to death inside their home has had his court case delayed while he undergoes a mental impairment assessment.

Prabhal Sharma, 40, was charged with two counts of murder over the stabbing deaths of his wife Poonam Sharma and daughter Vanessa in January at Mill Park.

Mr Sharma dialled into Melbourne Magistrates’ Court via video link from prison on Tuesday.

He sat staring at the screen with a blank expression and his hands clasped together.

Poonam Sharma died at the scene and her husband has been charged with murder.

When his matter was called, Mr Sharma fidgeted in his seat and spoke only twice – to confirm he could hear magistrate Donna Bakos and to thank her when his matter was adjourned.

“Yes, I can hear you,” he said.

“Thank you, Your Honour.”

His lawyer Raphael De Vietri asked for an eight-week adjournment while they wait for a mental impairment report and an assessment from a forensic psychiatrist that is scheduled for June.

Police had earlier alleged Ms Sharma, 39, ran to a neighbour’s house for help and was chased by her husband.

Mr Sharma had self-harmed when approached by police and was taken to hospital under police guard before he was charged.

Ms Sharma died at the scene, while her daughter Vanessa later died in hospital.

There was an outpouring of grief following the deaths, with tributes left at the family home.

Online fundraisers have been set up to support Ms Sharma’s grieving family.

The matter will return to court on July 29 for a further committal mention.