Four charged with Nhaveen’s murder

> All the accused face mandatory death penalty under Penal Code

GEORGE TOWN: Four teens were charged with the murder of T. Nhaveen, 18, at the magistrate’s court here yesterday.

J. Ragesuthan, 18; S. Gokulan, 18; and two other boys, aged 16 and 17, are accused of committing the offence near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre in Bukit Gelugor between 11pm and 12.30am on July 9.

All the accused appeared calm and nodded their heads when asked by the court interpreter if they understood the charge after it was read to them.

No plea was recorded from all of the accused, who were unrepresented.

The charge is under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, read together with Section 34 of the same Code, that states “each of several persons liable for an act done by all, in like manner, as if done by him alone”.

The accused are facing the mandatory death penalty.

Deputy public prosecutor (DPP) Nurul Fatin Hussain did not propose bail as the charge was an non-bailable offence.

Magistrate Mohamed Amin Shahul Hamid then set Sept 28 for mention pending a chemist’s report.

At the sessions court earlier, all the accused faced a charge of causing grievous injuries to T. Previin, 19, using helmets, at the same time and place.

The charge under the Penal Code, carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine or whipping.

DPP Lim Saw Sim prosecuted while the accused were not represented.

Judge Irwan Suainbon did not allow bail and ordered them to engage a lawyer from the National Legal Aid Foundation. He then set set Aug 21 for mention.

Earlier yesterday, Northeast district police chief ACP Anuar Omar in a statement said another suspect, an 18year-old youth, was released on bond.

He said the bond was in accordance to Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code and that the suspect will appear in the case as a prosecution witness.