4 teenagers charged with murdering Nhaveen
Families of accused get to meet them for first time since arrest
THE boys’ families accuse the media of ‘one-sided reports’. They
are unable to get any lawyer to defend the four.
IT was an emotional day at the court complex here yesterday when family members of the four suspects, arrested in connection to the vicious attack on T. Nhaveen, 18, met them face to face for the first time following their arrest.
Anxiety ran high among some family members, who waited more than six hours before they caught a glimpse of their loved ones, all handcuffed together.
They took their frustration out on pressmen present, accusing them of their “one-sided” report.
There were tears in some of their eyes when they saw their loved ones sitting in the dock, while waiting to be charged.
At the magistrate’s court here, J. Ragesuthen and S. Gokulan, both 18, as well as two underaged boys, aged 16 and 17, were jointly charged with the murder of Nhaveen.
Prior to proceeding proper, they were asked by magistrate Mohamad Amin Shahul Hamid if they had lawyers to represent them, to which they shook their heads, indicating they had no lawyers.
They were alleged to have caused Nhaveen’s death at Pusat Pembelajaran Karpal Singh in Jalan Kaki Bukit here between 11pm and midnight on June 9.
They were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.
However, the teens face an indefinite prison sentence if they were convicted of the crime.
Ragesuthen, Gokulan and the 17-year-old nodded to indicate that they understood the charge, while the 16-year-old uttered faham (understand).
The teens looked towards their families’ direction, at the public gallery, for support.
No plea was recorded from the accused.
Deputy public prosecutor Nurul Fatin Hussin, who prosecuted, told the court that this was a non-bailable offence and asked for another mention date pending the chemist report and other documents.
Amin fixed Sept 28 for mention, saying the prosecution might need more time to get the documents ready.
Earlier, the four were charged at the Sessions Court here with voluntarily causing grievous hurt to T. Previin, 19, using a hammer.
Previin was with Nhaveen when the incident occurred.
Ragesuthen, Gokulan and the 16-year-old uttered tidak salah (not guilty), while the 17-year-old said tak (no) when judge Irwan Suaibon asked them to record their plea with words.
They were charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries the maximum 20 years’ jail and shall be liable to a fine or whipping upon conviction.
Deputy public prosecutor Lim Saw Sim said no bail was offered as the accused were also facing a murder charge.
Irwan fixed Aug 21 for mention pending the chemist and medical reports of the victim.
“You can seek help from the National Legal Aid Foundation, Penang, for lawyers to represent all of you,” he told the four accused.
Earlier, Gokulan could not hold back his tears when he saw his family at the public gallery.
His father walked up to him and touched his face to calm him down.
The other three accused spoke briefly with their family members.
Both courtrooms were packed during the proceedings.
Page 1 caption: The four accused covering their faces at the magistrate’s court in George Town yesterday.
Meanwhile, northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Omar said another 18-year-old suspect, arrested together with the four, had been released on bond under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
“He will be produced as a prosecution witness,” Anuar said.
It was reported that Nhaveen was viciously attacked by a group of five boys as he was returning home with his friend Previin, just before midnight on June 9.
It was alleged that the attackers had inserted a foreign object into his anus during the assault.
He later slipped into unconsciousness. Previin also sustained injuries, but managed to escape and get help.
Police had managed to locate the five suspects soon after the incident.
Nhaveen succumbed to his injuries at Penang Hospital at 5.31pm last Thursday.
His case had garnered attention on social media, with Malaysians expressing an outpouring of sympathy towards him and his family.