The court of appeal has overturned the high court’s acquittal of four accused, who was charged with the murder of T Nhaveen, a 17 year old boy brutally attacked at Penang in 2017.
Three judge panel, Justices Che Ruzima Ghazali, Zaini Mazlan and Noorin Badaruddin ordered that the case be taken to the High Court in George Town where they were ordered to enter their defence. Justice Radzi Hamid, who handled the prosecution’s case, will continue to oversee the trial. Justice Radzi is currently serving in Melaka High Court.
Four men, J.Ragesuthan (26), Gokulan (26), and two others were also ordered by the three judge panel to enter their defense on a charge for causing hurt towards Nhaveen’s friend T. Previin with dangerous weapons where he was 19 years old back then.
“We have analysed the prosecution’s submission and found that there is enough evidence to establish prima facie case against the respondents (the accused),” said the panel of judges.
In 2023, the high court freed the accused, a decision that made the prosecution to appeal. Deputy Public prosecutors Amril Johari and Yazid Mustaqim Roslan represented the prosecution during the appeal while Naran Singh appeared for the accused.
However the court of appeal released the fifth individual, S.Gopinaath (34) who was charged four years after the incident, in 2021 while the trial was going on. The judges back then agreed with his lawyer, who argued his client caused prejudice against him. Justice Che Ruzima noted that they agreed with Gopinaath’s lawyer that there is a prejudice against him as he was charged while others were giving their evidence to the court. As of now the four mens were in the court and was arrested by the police to be taken under custody.
Sources: FMT
