THE family of the late T. Nhaveen has urged the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) to update them about its appeal against the High Court’s decision to acquit five people accused of murdering the teenager.

Arun Dorasamy, chairman of Nhaveen Action and Investigation League, a group advocating for justice for the teen, express frustration over the delay.

“It is really frustrating that we have not received any updates from the AGC. This is despite our letters seeking to know at least who is the senior federal counsel in charge of this case.

“All correspondence was addressed to the AGC trial and appeals division head Mohd Dusuki Mokhtar but despite sending three letters, we have yet to receive any reply,” Arun told The Malaysian Insight.

On October 3, the Penang High Court acquitted five people accused of killing Nhaveen, 18, in 2017.

In his verdict, judge Radzi Hamid said that “there were major flaws in the prosecution’s case against the accused, and hence a failure in proving a prima facie case”.

The AGC filed a notice of appeal but has not provided any news on the case since then.

“We don’t know what the status of the case is. The victim’s mother, Shanti Dorairaj, deserves to know what is happening,” said Arun.

“This should not be construed as being pushy or as interfering in AGC’s process. She has the right to know.”

“If they are too busy, have too many cases to handle… in that case, allow Nhaveen’s mother to appoint a private lawyer to represent the government in this case,” he said.

Earlier, Arun said the family had asked the government to consider hiring prominent criminal lawyer V Sithambaram to prosecute the case in the appeal stage.

Free to leave

Meanwhile, Arun has alleged that one of the five acquitted had left the country.

“I can say that one of the accused has left the country and gone to Thailand, not through proper channels but illegally,” Arun said.

“Yes. They were acquitted and freed. So, they are free to go wherever they want to go.”

He said the family had earlier urged the AGC to apply for arrest warrants for the five acquitted pending the appeal.

“The AGC can do that but it has not done it.”

Arun said authorities must ensure that the five would not abscond before the case was resolved.

Hunger strike

Arun said Shanti will go on a hunger strike in the absence of news from the AGC.

Arun said the least the AGC can do is to call the mother to explain the situation.

He said the family will send another memorandum to the AGC.

“This will be done before Deepavali. Nhaveen’s mother and I will be going to Putrajaya. It will be unannounced. It may sound rough but we are left with no choice.” – October 27, 2023.