Indian national who bludgeoned countryman to death fails to reduce sentence

In a recent ruling, an Indian national who brutally murdered his fellow countryman with a hammer at an elderly individuals' home in Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, was unable to reduce his 35-year prison sentence and 12 strokes of the cane. A three-member Federal Court bench, presided over by Justice Rhodzariah Bujang, unanimously dismissed K Alagesan's appeal, finding no justification for a lighter punishment.

Alagesan, 34 at the time of the incident, struck his victim, Sugan Ganesan, 12 times with a hammer in front of an eyewitness on September 9, 2020. After the victim's death, Alagesan was arrested and pleaded guilty to the charge in 2024, receiving a sentence of 38 years in prison and 15 strokes of the cane. The Court of Appeal reduced his sentence to 35 years and 12 strokes, but the Federal Court upheld the decision.

This incident occurred following the implementation of Malaysia's revised sentencing laws in July 2023, which allow judges to impose sentences between 30 and 40 years, coupled with at least 12 strokes of the cane for male offenders under 50, instead of the mandatory death penalty.