Gelugor:One of the men accused in the murder of teenager T. Nhaveen has denied involvement in the attack, stating that neither he nor the other three accused attacked Nhaveen and his friend following a scuffle in Gelugor.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, J. Ragesuthen, 27, testified in court that he witnessed a scuffle on Jalan Kaki Bukit between his friend, who was also an accused minor at the time, and T. Previin, Nhaveen's friend. Ragesuthen claimed that Previin hit his friend with a helmet, causing him to intervene to stop the assault. He mentioned that S. Gokulan and another accused arrived to help break up the fight.

Ragesuthen further stated that after the altercation, he, Gokulan, and another accused assisted their injured friend home for treatment. He described seeing another individual, referred to as Belang, taking Nhaveen away on a motorcycle, while Previin left separately. Ragesuthen admitted to mocking Nhaveen earlier at a burger stall but could not recall specifics and denied further involvement in any attack on Nhaveen.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Amril Johari questioned Ragesuthen about his claims, noting this was the first time he mentioned the incident of his friend passing out after being hit by Previin. Ragesuthen confirmed this was not previously disclosed in court.

Gokulan supported Ragesuthen's testimony, denying participation in a subsequent attack on Nhaveen at Padang Openg and rejecting suggestions from the prosecution that they had assaulted Previin.

The proceedings, presided over by Judge Datuk Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid, will continue, with the accused facing charges of both murder and injuring Nhaveen's friend, Previin, during the incident in June 2017. Nhaveen succumbed to his injuries on June 15, 2017, after being hospitalized for six days. The trial follows a Court of Appeal decision requiring the accused to enter their defense after an earlier acquittal.