The Sepang magistrates’ court formally ordered the transfer of the case today, as murder cases fall under the High Court’s jurisdiction, Berita Harian reported.

M Sri Darvien, 19, is accused of murdering Maniishapriet at a condominium unit in Cyberjaya between 9.11pm and 11.31pm on June 23.

His charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code carries the death penalty or between 30 and 40 years in prison and a minimum 12 strokes of the cane, upon conviction.

Sri Darvien’s girlfriend D Thineswary, also 19, is charged with abetting him in the murder under Section 109 of the Penal Code read together with Section 302, which carries the same penalties.

Maniishapriet, 20, was found dead in her condominium unit by a friend at about 10am on June 24. She was staying in the unit with five other students, but her housemates had returned to their hometowns for the holidays on June 21.