BATU PAHAT: Four men were charged in a Magistrate’s Court here for allegedly murdering a businessman before dumping his body in a river earlier this month.
S. Yogesvaran, 40; Lim Yong Ming, 26; N. Achutan, 32; and How Han Wei, 33; nodded in understanding after the charge was read out before Magistrate Mustaqim Sukarno on Monday (Aug 17).
However, no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
According to the charge sheets, the four were jointly charged with murdering Low Kai Xian, 39, between 2.35pm on July 29 and 12.30pm on Aug 3.
The offence allegedly took place in front of an eatery along Jalan Emas Putih 2 at Taman Sri Skudai in Johor Baru, and at Sungai Tanjung Sembrong here.
The charge was framed under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years and whipping of not less than 12 strokes if the death penalty is not imposed, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nur Shahzleen Ibrahim appeared for the prosecution.
Yogesvaran, Yong Ming and Han Wei were represented by lawyer SJ Sean Dudley, while Achutan was represented by Datin Freda Sabapathy.
Lawyers Chuah Shyue Chien and Kenji Soh Xin Da also attended the proceedings as watching briefs for the victim’s family.
The court fixed Oct 14 for mention of the case to obtain the post-mortem, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), closed-circuit television (CCTV) and mobile phone forensic reports.
Earlier, police arrested five suspects following the discovery of the body of a 39-year-old man floating in Sungai Tanjung Sembrong near Parit Raja, here, earlier this month.
The body was found wrapped in a net.
Initial police investigations found that the victim was believed to have been strangled with a rope.
Police said the suspects then transported the victim in a vehicle before his hands were bound with adhesive tape and his body wrapped in a net.
The victim was reported missing by his wife on July 29, with family members later finding his vehicle in Johor Baru.
Checks on the suspects’ found that two had previous criminal records involving crime and drug-related offences.
Police believe the murder was motivated by a debt.
