A couple has been charged at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court with the murder of University of Cyberjaya student Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara.
M Sri Darvien and D Thineswary, both 19, appeared before Magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani on Thursday (July 10).
Sri Darvien is accused of murdering Maniishapriet at a condominium in Cyberjaya between 9.11pm and 11.31pm on June 23. He is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of between 30 and 40 years, along with whipping, if convicted.
Thineswary, his girlfriend, is accused of abetting the murder at 12.30pm at the same location and day. She is charged under Section 109 read together with Section 302 of the Penal Code, carrying the same penalties if convicted.
Both accused confirmed they understood the charges. However, no plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Raja Zaizul Farida Raja Zaharudin said the prosecution would not be offering bail.
Lawyers M Manoharan and Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff, representing Sri Darvien and Thineswary respectively, requested the case be expedited. Manoharan urged for the matter to be transferred to the High Court promptly, while Baharudeen noted the case had gone viral.
In response, Raja Zaizul said the prosecution required time to obtain and provide relevant documents to the defence before applying for the transfer.
Magistrate Khairatul Animah fixed the case for mention on September 11.
Previously, it was reported that Maniishapriet, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy student from Kuching, Sarawak, was found unconscious with visible injuries in her student hostel on June 24 at around 10am by a friend, who alerted the police.
She had remained alone in the hostel after her five housemates returned home for the holidays on June 21, as she was preparing for an upcoming examination. A post-mortem revealed the cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.
A heavy police presence was observed at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court, with tight security measures in place. Sepang OCPD Asst Comm Norhizam Bahaman, his deputy, and several police officers were also present.