KLANG: A 28-year-old man has been charged in the Magistrate’s Court here with the murder of a motorcyclist following a fatal crash last Sunday (March 29).
Saktygaanapathy Ravichandran was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code for causing the death of motorcyclist Amirul Hafiz Omar, 33. The charge carries the mandatory death penalty, or imprisonment for not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, as well as not fewer than 12 strokes of the cane upon conviction.
Saktygaanapathy, a private lab assistant, who was still wearing the same white T-shirt he had on the day of the incident, nodded to indicate he understood the charges after they were read to him.
No plea was recorded, as murder cases come under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Saktygaanapathy was also charged under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for allegedly consuming drugs, namely benzodiazepines (Benzo) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
He pleaded guilty to the drug charge, which carries a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum of two years’ imprisonment if convicted.
In the incident at about 11.40am, the accused is alleged to have driven against the flow of traffic before ramming into the motorcycle ridden by Amirul on Jalan Raya Barat.
The impact caused the victim to somersault multiple times in the air before landing on the roof of a passing car. Amirul, a father of three, died at the scene.
The charges were read before Magistrate Khartiyayini Ambualagan. Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin appeared for the prosecution, while the accused was unrepresented.
The victim’s wife was present in court during the proceedings.
More to come
