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Student’s Death: Court Date Looms in Malaysia

Legal Wrangling Begins as Suspects Await Trial

The legal process is underway following the death of a student in Malaysia, with lawyers pushing for a swift transfer of the case to the High Court. The prosecution is seeking more time to prepare documents.

Defense Seeks High Court Trial

Darvien’s legal representative, M Manoharan, has formally requested that the case be expedited to the High Court for trial because his client is ineligible for bail. Separately, attorneys Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff, Abu Bakar Isa Ramat, and Joel Ruben John, representing Thineswary, have also urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers to accelerate the legal proceedings.

In response to these requests, Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin stated that the prosecution needs additional time to properly obtain and then serve the necessary documentation to the defense. According to the New Straits Times, “Only once these documents are in order can consent be granted to move the case to the High Court,” said Zaizul, while requesting a date for the next case mention.

Cause of Death Revealed

Earlier, Sepang police chief Norhizam Bahaman confirmed that Maniishapriet’s death was the result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Reports indicate that Maniishapriet resided with five other students. However, they had all departed for their holidays on June 21. She was alone at the Mutiara Ville condominium, used as a hostel, because she was scheduled to take an upcoming exam.

Four Individuals Arrested

Local media sources reported that a total of four individuals, aged between 19 and 20, including Thineswary and Darvien, were taken into custody during the investigation.

Reports also suggest that the primary suspect had allegedly stayed overnight at the condominium unit multiple times before the tragic incident.

Girlfriend Provided Access

Selangor police chief Hussein Omar Khan previously stated that investigations revealed the victim’s housemate, who is also the suspect’s girlfriend, provided him with the access card and keys to the condominium unit prior to the incident. Hussein did not initially disclose the suspects’ names.

The suspect allegedly used the access card and keys provided by his girlfriend, who had returned to her hometown following examinations, according to reports. According to data published by the Department of Statistics Malaysia, the crime rate in Malaysia increased by 11.5% in 2023, highlighting the importance of addressing safety and security concerns (DOSM 2023).