The trial, which was over the assault of Nhaveen’s friend, T Previin, was postponed since the medical report has not been released, prosecutors told the Sessions Court here today.
DPP Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar told the court they have yet to receive a medical report on T Previin, 19, and hence, could not move forward.
The four accused had also missed their court date today as their transport was delayed. They are currently placed at the Sungai Petani remand prison.
Judge Irwan Suainbon then set Sept 29 for the next hearing.
The four accused had previously pleaded not guilty under the charge of Section 326 of the Penal Code.
The four accused were also charged with murdering Nhaveen at the same location and time under Section 302 of the Penal Code. The murder case’s mention is on Sept 28.
J Ragesuthan, 18, S Gokulan, 18, and two juveniles, one aged 17 and the other 16, were charged first in the Sessions Court with causing grievous hurt with dangerous weapons on Previin.
On June 9, after working the night shift, Nhaveen and Previin had gone to a burger shop outside the Taman Tun Sardon Mosque near Gelugor for supper.
There, they met two former schoolmates who started to taunt Nhaveen. The two were alleged to have always bullied Nhaveen in school for being effeminate.
Nhaveen pleaded with the two to stop but, instead, they rang up their friends and six other youths arrived on motorcycles. The eight then started beating Nhaveen and Previin repeatedly with helmets.
One of the youths on the motorcycles forced Nhaveen to a nearby padang at Jalan Kaki Bukit.
Previin, meanwhile, fled the scene and later sought treatment for his injuries at the Penang Hospital.
Previin suffered a fractured cheek bone while Nhaveen was beaten unconscious. Nhaveen died about a week later in hospital, after he was declared brain dead.
Today’s court date also saw three of the accused represented by lawyers.
Criminal lawyer Ranjit Singh will act for Ragesuthen and Gokulan, while one of the juveniles accused is represented by Manveer Singh. The remaining accused remains unrepresented.
The court had asked the parents to seek representation from the Legal Aid Bureau in the last hearing.