Penang college student charged with murdering neighbour

BUKIT MERTAJAM: A college student has been charged in the Sessions Court here with murdering a neighbour.

A. Devandran, 18, from Taman Sejahtera in Alma is alleged to have committed murder by causing the death of P. Vijayan, 56, at his home in Taman Pinggiran Alma, Machang Bubuk in central Seberang Prai at 10.40pm on June 2.

The offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Devandran also faces a second charge of attempting to murder Vijayan’s wife P. Amutha, 42, at the same place, time and day.

The offence under Section 307 of the Penal Code carries a jail term of up to 20 years.

No plea was recorded.

As Section 302 of the Penal Code is a non-bailable offence, Devandran was not granted bail.

Sessions judge Musyiri Peet fixed Aug 13 for mention pending Vijayan’s post mortem as well as Amutha’s mdecial report.

Counsel Dev Kumaraendran represented Devandran while DPP Lim Saw Sim prosecuted.

It was reported that Vijayan succumbed to his injuries after suffering burns from a Molotov cocktail which was hurled into his house in Taman Pinggiran Alma, Bukit Mertajam.

He died at the Bukit Mertajam Hospital at 2.40am on Monday, a week after the incident.

Amutha, who was also inside the house at the time, suffered burns on her hands and face.

Penang CID chief Senior Asst Comm Mazlan Kesah was quoted as saying that two men, aged 18 and 31, were arrested in connection with the incident.