In the Shah Alam High Court, Saravanan a/l Renugopal was charged with the murder of 19-year-old Shaarunan a/l Ganesh under Section 302 of the Penal Code. If convicted, Saravanan would face the mandatory death penalty by hanging. The case revolved around an incident on January 2017, where Saravanan allegedly hit Shaarunan on the head with a motorcycle helmet during an argument at Saravanan’s workshop over stolen motorcycle batteries.
Shaarunan later complained of a headache and vertigo to his cousin, Dineshwaar a/l Tamil Selvan, but was found dead by the roadside at Batu Caves, with the cause of death identified as “blunt force injury.”
After hearing testimonies from 16 prosecution witnesses, Judge Dato’ Zulkifli bin Bakar ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case. The judge noted the absence of scientific evidence linking Saravanan to the crime, inconsistent witness testimonies, and the prosecution’s failure to call key eyewitnesses. Consequently, Saravanan was acquitted and released immediately.
Saravanan was represented by defense counsels Dato’ Geethan Ram and Revin Kumar.
