Gursevak Dhillon, the 23-year old accused in the murder of 3-year old toddler Gurshan Singh Channa last Thursday, remained calm and softly spoken as his request to be released on bail was refused by a bail justice yesterday

Housemate refused bail in three-year-old's murder Down Under

Gursevak Dhillon, the 23-year old accused in the murder of 3-year old toddler Gurshan Singh Channau00a0 last Thursday, remained calm and softly spoken as his request to be released on bail was refused by a bail justice yesterday

Dhillon allegedly put an unconscious Gurshan in a car boot, drove around for three hours and then dumped the child by the side of a little-used road near Melbourne airport.

Gursevak Singh Dhillon, who was living in the same house as Gurshan and his parents, Harjit Singh and Harpreet Kaur, was charged with one count of manslaughter by criminal negligence.

Dhillon was arrested at a friend's house about 10 am yesterday. According to a police spokesman he had "placed the child in the boot of his car unconscious but still alive".

According to police, after driving for at least up to three hours, he eventually stopped at a junction where he placed the child from the boot into the grass and did not check to see if the child was alive.He has admitted to the police charges.

No evidence has yet been given as to how the toddler was unconscious. His body showed no signs of visible trauma.

Police are investigating whether the accused, who has been in Australia since June 2008, had used a false passport.

Dhillon told the court his wife lived with him in the Channas' home and had a daughter back in India.

He said he was a part-time taxi driver and was about to start full-time work this week with a courier company.

He will appear in a Melbourne court today.

Harjit and Harpreet, who had been planning to return home to India shortly, attended a religious ceremony yesterday to mourn the death of their son as flowers, cards and toys continued to be placed outside their home in Lalor, a Melbourne suburb.

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