Indian-Origin Man Pleads Manslaughter, Not Guilty of Murder in Wife's Death

A 42-year-old Indian-origin man in Australia has admitted to killing his wife, but said he is not guilty of murder, during an appearance at a court. Vikrant Thakur, appearing via video link from a custodial facility, said to the Adelaide Magistrates Court, "I plead for manslaughter, but not guilty for murder." His statement came following direction from his lawyer, James Marcus, ABC News reported. This was the second time he appeared in court since being charged with the murder of his 36-year-old wife, Supriya Thakur, late last year. Investigators continue to gather and assess evidence, and the matter remains subject to judicial review. Though both are serious felonies, the key difference between manslaughter and murder is the intent or premeditation. Murder is when someone intentionally causes the killing of another, while manslaughter refers to circumstances that lead to the unintentional death of a person. The case will now return to court in April, before Vikrant Thakur is arraigned to South Australia's Supreme Court for trial. The incident unfolded on December 21 at a Northfield home in Adelaide's inner northern area, prompting an urgent police response. Court records revealed that officers arrived around 8.30 pm after emergency calls regarding a disturbance and found Supriya Thakur unconscious at the property. Officers attempted to revive her via CPR, but she "could not be revived", they said. According to police, another person was present in the house at the time of the incident, but was not injured. Investigators have also seized the mobile phones of the Thakurs as part of the ongoing probe. After Thakur's initial court date on December 22, the proceedings were adjourned for 16 weeks, while prosecutors await further evidence, including DNA analysis and post-mortem report. According to Supriya Thakur's Gofundme page, she was known for her "caring nature and dedication to helping others". The 36-year-old aspired to become a registered nurse. "Her tragic passing has left her son without his mother and has turned his life upside down overnight. He is now facing an uncertain future without the person who cared for him most," the page, created anonymously by her friends and community members, reads. - Ends Tune In