Two men and a secondary school teacher, will now face a charge of murder.

This happened after the bus driver they allegedly assaulted succumbed to his injuries last Friday and died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital.

Mikaele Lawaniyale, Josateki Rokodakunivosa and Isikeli Tawake Lagibalavu appeared before Judge Justice Aruna Aluthge yesterday.

Initially the three accused persons had allegedly assaulted the bus driver inside his bus at Nausori Bus Stand.

The bus driver was admitted at the CWM Hospital while the three accused persons were charged for act with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

However, lawyer from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Yogesh Prasad, yesterday told the court that the victim had passed away due to the injuries he had sustained from the alleged assault.

He also told the court that the state will now proceed to file a charge of murder against the three accused persons.

Mr Prasad also sought for the accused persons to be taken into Police custody for five days to investigate the case now classified as murder.

He also told the court that the accused persons were in remand at the Suva Remand Centre.

However, Justice Aluthge said, he did not have the authority to transfer the accused persons to Police custody.

He remanded them in custody and adjourned the matter to October 27.

Edited by Selita Bolanavanua

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