Queensland's Mental Health Court in August declared that the man accused of killing Indian bus driver Manmeet Alisher was unfit and 'of unsound mind' when the incident occurred in 2016, and hence charges were discontinued.
The Brisbane court officially dropped the criminal charges against the accused today.
Manjit Boparai, an Indian community spokesperson from Brisbane told SBS Punjabi that he went to court today to know about the proceedings.
“It’s a shame that Alisher family hasn’t been informed that the criminal charges against Manmeet’s murderer have now been officially dropped,” he said.
"It's such a sad day! It's very painful for Manmeet's parents, family members and friends who really wanted to see the justice served."
Manmeet Alisher (L) with his parents and brother. Source: SBS Punjabi
He was killed after the accused Anthony O'Donohue used a bottle filled with petrol and diesel to set Mr Alisher afire when he pulled up to pick up passengers at a bus stop on the morning of 28 October 2016.
14 other passengers were trapped inside the burning bus after Mr Alisher was set on fire.
Mr O’Donohue was arrested at the scene and charged with murder and 14 counts of attempted murder and arson. However, the trial against him was suspended and his case was committed to a mental health court that has now decided that he was "of unsound mind" when the incident took place and therefore there won't be a trial.
Vigil held at Brisbane in the memory of Manmeet Alisher Source: SBS Punjabi
The court on Friday ordered the accused killer of Mr Alisher to be treated at a mental facility for ten years. In a legal first, the Judge said her orders could not be revoked for ten years.
The Queensland Mental Health Court heard Mr O’Donohue believed there was a grand conspiracy against him and that Mr Alisher smiled at him when he boarded the bus, leading him to believe the bus driver was also a part of the conspiracy against him.
There was a massive outpouring of grief and members of the Indian community held vigils to demand justice, in many cities in Australia to remember Mr Alisher in the days after his tragic death.
His death made headlines, not just in Australia, but also in India, promoting the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to call up his Australian counterpart to ensure justice in this case.
Manmeet Alisher Source: Supplied
Family not "fully satisfied"
Mr Alisher’s parents and brother were present in the court along with the community members for the judgment. Winnerjit Singh Goldy, spokesperson for the family said they are not “fully satisfied”.
“The Court did whatever best under the law could be done,” he said. “But we have some questions- why was he out in the community, who is responsible. We want accountability to be fixed and the punishment handed out."
He says O'Donohue poses a danger to others and should never be allowed to walk free.
"This is not enough for that person because the crime he did ... he murdered Manmeet, that is out of this world and the thing is, that person should not (be allowed back) into society for the rest of his life," Mr Singh said.
“Lively” person
“Manmeet was a great guy. He was a man with dreams. With his death, we have lost everything," Mr Singh added.
Mr Alisher’s friends remembered him as a “lively” person, who was always full of life.
“He was such a lively, vivacious, intelligent man," said Gurjant who knew Manmeet for a long time.
“He was a man with a heart. It is a big loss to family friends and the local community. He was a great poet and singer. He will be dearly missed,” said Preet Siyan, a local Punjabi singer who shared the stage with Manmeet in many concerts.
Mr Alisher's death had sparked safety concerns among bus drivers in Brisbane, prompting demands for security upgrades on buses.
Source: SBS Punjabi/MP Singh
The city council named a local park 'Manmeet's Paradise' in Moorooka, just metres from where the tragedy occurred, to honour his memory.
His family members say they will wait for the outcome of a coronial investigation to have answers to their questions.
