The eagerly awaited drug trial fixed today for Australian television reporter Lloyd Peter Gerard has been moved to August 19, the third time it was postponed.

The Court's decision surprised many local and foreign journalists who had turned up to cover a sensational drug case involving their counterpart, whose job was?based in New Delhi as Australian Broadcasting Corporation's South Asia bureau chief.

The earlier postponement was due to additional charges brought against the 41-year-old newsman. They allege that Lloyd had consumed Ice and also had in his possession utensils stained with ketamine and methamphetamine.

The prosecution had also made amendments to the initial two charges, such as reducing the weight of the drugs.
Lloyd is charged with selling 0.15g of Ice to Singaporean Sani Saidi, 31, at York Hotel on July 9 for $100. A packet of the same drug weighing 0.41g was allegedly found on him when he was caught on July 16.