Published: Tuesday September 11, 2012 MYT 5:52:00 PM

7-years jail for man who killed relative and buried her in cement

By QISHIN TARIQ

SHAH ALAM: An odd-job worker was sentenced to seven years prison by a High Court here for beating his sister-in-law to death and burying her body in cement under a staircase.

S. Muniandy, 41, had pleaded guilty to causing the death of S. Vijayah at a house in Taman Seri Selayang, Batu Caves between Aug 25 and Sep 2, 2009.

He was originally charged with murder, but the prosecution tendered the alternative charge after a trial with four prosecution witnesses testifying.

DPP Khairul Fikri Ahmad Zubaidi said the accused should have been more mature and in control of his actions considering his age.

He added that Muniandy's attempt at hiding the body only worsened the offense.

"Everyone deserves funeral rites, and if Vijayah hadn't been found, she would have been denied her rights," he said in the court on Tuesday.

He added that as a member of the extended family, Muniandy was duty bound to protect her.

"The injuries on her head, neck, and chest were evident even after she was long left buried, showing how violent this attack had been," said Khairul.

In pleading for leniency, counsel S. Kula, said there was no viciousness meant in the fight that lead to the victim's death and that his client had not meant to hurt Vijayah.

He added that Muniandy had a wife and six children who depended on him and a long prison sentence would cause them suffering.

High Court judge Justice Abdul Alim Abdullah asked why the accused tried to hide the body by burying it in cement if it was an accident.

"The cementing was a bad job, and, by the grace of God, it was such a bad job that her body was found," said Justice Abdul Alim.

He ruled that despite the mitigating factors offered, the attempts at concealment and the sordid circumstances, the accused deserved a stiff penalty.

The court sentenced Muniandy to seven years prison from the date of his arrest on April 11 2011.

Muniandy, who was dressed in a yellow shirt and jeans, remained silent and seemingly calm upon being read his sentence.

According to the facts of the case, police found the body on Sep 2 2009 after receiving a call from public.

A preliminary search uncovered the rotting remains of and Indian woman buried under the staircase in cement and rubble.

Muniandy's wife S. Marimah told the police that the victim was her sister who had been staying with their family for the last eight months.

Marimah said she saw her husband beat Vijayah with his hands, feet and a stick.

Her son R. Daneshvaran also said he had seen the accused hit the victim and bury her in cement later.

Based on the post mortem, the cause of death was attributed to blunt force trauma to the face, neck and chest.

News

Published: Tuesday September 11, 2012 MYT 5:52:00 PM

7-years jail for man who killed relative and buried her in cement

By QISHIN TARIQ