SHANTI Dorairaj, mother of T. Nhaveen who was beaten to death by a group of youths in 2017, finally had some update from the Attorney General’s Chambers (AGC) on the status of the case.

Nhaveen Action & Investigation League chairperson Arun Dorasamy told reporters today that the AGC had informed them that appeal notice had been served on the five individuals against their acquittal and discharge by the High Court in George Town.

Arun said the AGC had given assurance to Shanti and her lawyers that it will do its best to ensure the appeal proceeds.

“The appeal notice has been served to the accused persons’ lawyers,” Arun outside the AGC in Putrajaya today.

The Malaysian Insight reported this morning that Shanti was ready to stage a sit-in protest at the AGC over the authorities’ failure to provide her with answers.

She wants the AGC to tell her the status of the prosecution’s appeal against the acquittal of the five young men in October.

Arun said that an officer from the AGC’s Appellate and Trial Division officer met them for about 40 minutes.

About 100 people had gathered in support of Shanti this morning.

Arun also said that the officer informed that the prosecution was waiting for the George Town High Court to send in the record of the appeal before it can proceed.

It had already received the grounds for judgment from the High Court, he added.

“After they receive the appeal record from the court, they will need about 10 to 12 days to file the appeal petition if they have sufficient grounds to proceed with the appeal.

“But I was given assurance they will do everything possible to proceed (with the appeal),” he said.

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

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.

It was reported that Nhaveen was beaten up by five people while buying burgers at night in Jalan Kaki Bukit, Bukit Gelugor.

Nhaveen’s friend, who was with him, escaped.

Nhaveen was later found on a field, unconscious and bearing severe injuries, including burns on his back and signs that a blunt object had been shoved into his anus. He later died from his wounds. – April 5, 2024.