GEORGE TOWN – The trial of T. Nhaveen, who was allegedly killed due to violent bullying in 2017, intensified at the high court here today when the defence counsel attempted to link the victim with a secret society.
Lawyer Datuk Ranjit Singh Dhillon, representing the first and second accused, produced a photo of Nhaveen during cross-examination, and asked the victim’s mother, D. Shanti to confirm the picture.
Shanti, 47, confirmed that it was a photo of Nhaveen with a friend at a sports event, and that it was uploaded on her son’s Facebook account.
Ranjit then asked whether Shanti knew the meaning of the hand sign shown by Nhaveen and his friend in the picture, and whether she was aware of a secret society known as Gang 04, based in Gelugor.
“Are you implying that my son is a gangster?” asked Shanti, while getting emotional before judicial commissioner Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid.
The single mother said she does not agree with the contention that Nhaveen was involved with Gang 04 as she is familiar with the character of her eldest son.
“Nhaveen has never been involved in fights. In fact, I always send him everywhere.”
“I know his every move.”
Ranjit also disputed Shanti’s statement yesterday claiming that her son’s anus was torn and bleeding while receiving treatment at Penang Hospital.
Forensic specialist Dr Amir Saad Abdul Rahim, in his testimony on the first day of trial, denied Nhaveen’s anus was punctured by hard objects.
However, Shanti said: “I do not know that.”
“If it is not correct, why did Priya’s doctor (the health personnel who informed her of Nhaveen’s anal bleeding) tell me that.”
She, however, admitted that there are discrepancies on the matter.
The court was also told that Nhaveen had a blood clot in his head a few months prior to the incident.
However, Shanti explained, the clot was not dangerous and curable with medication.
“The doctor advised my son to not be too active, and to avoid falling, as it can cause bleeding in the brain.”
Apart from Shanti, today’s trial also heard the testimony of the sixth witness, chemist Jacqueline Bernice John Bosco from the state Chemistry Department, who verified the exhibits.
A total of 22 exhibit items were brought in, including hair strands, pants, shirts, shoes, helmets and plastic fragments of helmet visors.
John Bosco confirmed that the DNA of Nhaveen and another suspect were on the shirt exhibit.
J. Ragesuthan (18), S. Gokulan (18) and two juveniles –aged 17 and 16, respectively – were charged with the murder of Nhaveen at the magistrates’ court on June 19, 2017.
They were accused of murdering Nhaveen near the Karpal Singh Learning Centre in Jalan Kaki Bukit, Gelugor, between 11pm and midnight on June 9, 2017.
Ranjit represented Ragesuthan and Gokulan, while Maanveer Singh Dhillon and Yagoo Subramaniam represented the juveniles.
P. Malkit Kaur held a watching brief on behalf of Nhaveen’s family.
The prosecuting team includes deputy public prosecutors Khairul Anuar Abd Halim and Mohd Amril Johari
Another 12 witnesses will be testifying in the trial, which will resume on June 29 and 30, July 6, and August 5 and 6. – The Vibes, May 5, 2021
