Mayat dalam jaring, 4 didakwa bunuh ahli perniagaan

Four men were charged in Batu Pahat Magistrate Court on Friday with the murder of a businessman, whose body was found floating in a fishing net earlier this month. The accused, Yogesvaran Subramaniam, 40, Lim Yong Ming, 26, Achuthan Nagarajan, 32, and How Han Wei, 33, merely expressed understanding of the charges brought against them by Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno, according to Harian Metro.

None of the accused entered a plea due to the serious nature of the crime falling under the purview of the High Court. Based on the charge sheet, they are jointly accused of killing Low Kai Xian, 39, at a food stall on Jalan Emas Putih, Taman Sri Skudai, Johor Bahru, until it washed up in Sungai Tanjung Sembrong, Parit Raja. The alleged incident took place between 2:35 pm and 12:30 pm, between July 29 and August 3.

The prosecution against them was presented under Section 302 of the Penal Code, read in conjunction with Section 34 of the same code. If convicted, they could face death penalty or imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, as well as, if not death, a fine of not less than 12 years if not death. Defense counsel Nur Shahzleen Ibrahim represented the prosecution, while Yogesvaran, Yong Ming, and Han Wei were represented by counsel Fareda Sabapathy.

Sean Dodley Samuel Jayarajan represented Achuthan. Chuah Shyue Chien and Kenji Soh Xin Da acted as court observers for the victim's families. Prior to the trial, the accused requested the court to set a new date while awaiting autopsy, DNA, CCTV and mobile phone forensic reports. No bond surety was offered for all the accused. The court granted the request and the case was adjourned until October 14 while awaiting the relevant reports.