The 38-year-old appeared via video-link dressed in a white T-shirt in Cairns Magistrates Court on Friday morning.
The former nurse remained silent throughout the hearing, except when Magistrate Cathy McLennan asked if he could hear.
“Yes madam,” Singh replied.
Police prosecutors told the court they would provide a brief of evidence by April 14, with a committal mention set down for April 28.
Singh has been remanded in custody.
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Extra security officers were on duty at the court and there was an overflow room opened for members of the public to watch the proceedings.
Defence lawyer Derek Perkins refused to answer questions from journalists, who mobbed him outside the courthouse after the brief hearing.
“Mr Singh is innocent until proven guilty,” he told the reporters.
Singh was arrested in Delhi in November before being extradited from India to Queensland via Melbourne this week.