V Karthiy, 32, was charged with murdering P Sasi Kumar, 52, by punching and beating the man in Taman Rahang, Seremban, at about 2.30pm on April 27.

He nodded when the charge was read out before judge Hazeelia Muhammad, but no plea was recorded as the case is under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Karthiy had allegedly punched his father-in-law in the chest repeatedly, resulting in the latter’s death.

The charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code provides for the death penalty, or no less than 30 years’ imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, if convicted.

The case was handled by deputy public prosecutor Nik Nur Aqilah Syarfa Nik Zaidi while the accused was represented by lawyer AR Thamayanthy.

The judge set June 18 for case mention and submission of the medical and chemistry reports.