Suspects of Banting murders charged

BANTING: One of the two lawyer brothers and three others suspects in the Banting murders were today charged at the Magistrate's Court for the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and her three associates.

Lawyer N. Pathmanabhan, 41, and three farm workers - T. Thilaiyalagan,19, R. Matan, 20 and R. Kathavarayan, 30 - were charged this morning under Section 302 of the Penal Code for jointly murdering, with intent, 47-year-old Sosilawati, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsudin, 44, her lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and 38-year-old CIMB Kampung Baru bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, who was also Sosilawati's financial advisor.

The four were charged with committing the offence on Aug 30 between 8.30pm to 9.45pm at Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjung Layang, Tanjung Sepat, Banting, Kuala Langat.

When the charge was read out, the four accused remained calm, impassive even, and merely nodded when asked if they understood the charge.

The charge carries the death penalty upon conviction. No plea was recorded.

Pathmanabhan was represented by counsels Ravi Nekoo, Pushpa Ratnam, Amir Hamzah Arshad and Ng See Teong while the other three accused were unrepresented, as Amir Hamzah told the court their families had not been informed of their detention.

This was refuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Saiful Edris Zainuddin, who said as far as he knew, the families have been informed.

Amir Hamzah said: "I would also request for the prosecution team to inform the investigating officer to inform the families of the three other suspects about their charge today."

Besides Saiful Edris, the prosecution team also comprises DPPs Ishak Mohd Yusoff and Idham Abd Ghani.

Magistrate Hurman Hussain set Dec 16 for the next mention to await the report from the Department of Chemistry.

The courtroom was packed with reporters and onlookers, as the gruesome case had generated national interest.

It was learnt no family members of any of the suspects were in court this morning.

Sosilawati was reported missing last Aug 30 after reportedly going to Banting for a land deal. The founder of Nouvelle Visages cosmetics and ex-wife of rocker Nash, had told one of her daughters that she was going to Banting for three days, and was said to be carrying a large amount of cash.

It was reported she was last seen buying Raya cookies at a shop in Kampung Sungai Lan, Banting on Sept 2.
During investigations, police said the victims were bludgeoned to death, set ablaze and had their ashes, including small bone fragments, scattered in a river near Ladang Gadong in Tanjong Sepat, near Banting.

The main lawyer accused and his brother, also a lawyer, were apparently acting as brokers for Sosilawati in the land purchase in Penang worth millions of ringgit.

Six people, including two women and farmhands, have been arrested together with the lawyer and his brother in connection with the killings.

The two lawyer brothers were also reportedly being investigated for the disappearances and murders of several individuals - Indian businessman A.K. Muthuraja, 34, Sungai Petani businessman Mohd Shafik Abdullah, 37 and his friend S. Thevaraj, 28, businessman S. Anpalagan, 43, and housewife T. Selvi, 44.

It was further reported that several police reports had been lodged against the two lawyer brothers since 2005 over allegations of fraud in land transactions and criminal breach of trust, which allegedly resulted in losses amounting to RM7.1 million to the alleged victims.

Meanwhile, the remand order for the second lawyer brother ends on Oct 15, together with four others.

Missing millionaire's case was initially of cheating, say cops

KUALA LUMPUR - The first report on missing Indian millionaire Allal Kathan Muthuraja was investigated as a cheating case, police said yesterday.

The report was lodged by Muthuraja's brother, Dr Kasi Viswanathan, at the Klang police station on March 29.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Hussin Ismail said the report stated that Bukit Aman was holding Muthuraja for allegedly trafficking in drugs and that a sum of money was needed to secure his release.

"Initially, the report was investigated as a cheating case," said Hussin, adding that they had tried to locate Muthuraja then, but he could not be found.

The investigations, however, took a twist following a second report which was lodged by Muthuraja's wife, S. Usharani, at the Kuala Langat district police headquarters on September 8.

Usharani had lodged a missing person's report and after digging further, police linked that report to the murders of Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and her three aides.

"So, to say that we did not act on those reports earlier is not true," Hussin said at a press conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.

Since the investigations intensified recently, police have arrested two men who are believed to have extorted money from Muthuraja's family in Chennai, India.

The two men were picked up from their homes in Taman Wilayah, Selayang and Kampung Laksamana, Batu Caves, in the past 10 days.

The two had allegedly impersonated police officers from Bukit Aman to demand RM1 million (S$426,386) from Usharani to secure the release of her husband.

Usharani had told police that she received two calls, one from a caller claiming to be "ASP (assistant superintendent) Suresh" and the other who identified himself as "Inspector Muru".

Muthuraja, 37, was reported missing in January after coming here to meet two lawyer brothers who are now being investigated for eight murders and several fraud cases involving the sale and purchase of several parcels of land.

Hussin urged Muthuraja's family to remain calm and give police time to conduct their investigations.

Police had earlier said that they suspected Muthuraja could have been murdered but were awaiting DNA results to confirm this.

Hussin also urged the family not to listen to speculation on Muthuraja's disappearance but to only liaise with the police.

"We have appointed an officer to deal directly with the family," he said.

Apart from Usharani, Muthuraja's brothers - Kasi and Vijay Subramaniam - are also here to assist police in the investigations.

Yesterday, Usharani, Kasi and Vijay had their statements recorded separately at the Kuala Langat district police headquarters.

Usharani is at loggerheads with her brothers-in-law, claiming that they had threatened her to stop digging into Muthuraja's case and to return to India.

The woman, however, is adamant to stay on to see the case through.

The investigations into the Banting murders, which have taken almost a month, has caught the attention of major media organisations in India as well.

To date, police have arrested the two lawyer brothers from Banting, and six of their employees, all believed to be locals.

Police investigations so far have revealed that at least four victims - Sosilawati, her driver Kamarudin Shansudin, CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad and lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim - were murdered at a poultry farm in Ladang Gadung, which belonged to the lawyer brothers.

The victims were said to have been beaten, stabbed and burnt before their remains were scattered in nearby rivers and streams.

Investigations into the four murders opened a can of worms when it was discovered that there could have been more victims.

Apart from Muthuraja, police have also began investigations into two other missing persons.

The two have been identified as electrical technician Shafik Abdullah of Sungai Petani, and businessman Thevaraj Shanmugam of Taiping. The two have been reported missing in April.

Another victim, housewife T. Selvi, who was murdered outside her home in Banting last year, could also have been a victim of the men currently under investigations.

Apart from Selvi, the bodies of the seven other victims have not been found.

Police have only found bone fragments in the rivers, which have been sent for DNA profiling to ascertain the identities.

Lawyer In The Dark Over Fate Of Clients In Sosilawati Murder

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Lawyer Ravi Nekoo, who is representing two lawyer brothers detained in connection with the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others, is still in the dark over the fate of his clients.

He is unsure when, or if, the two clients, and six other people -- linked to the four murders -- would be charged in court.

"My clients' remand orders will expire on Saturday. I have a hunch they may (either) be charged on Friday, or the police may decide to produce them before a magistrate to extend the remand," Ravi told Bernama on Tuesday.

He said since his clients, aged 38 and 41, are currently held under custody of the Selangor police contingent, he would write to acting Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Assistant Commissioner Omar Mammah to enable him (Nekoo) and another counsel to have access to the suspects.

"So far, only once, the police had granted us access to our clients, and also to their wives...but we want to meet them without the presence of police officers," he added.

Ravi pointed out that the law was very clear on the issue, as under Section 28A(5) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC), it allowed counsel to have access within sight of police officers, but not hearing.

"In other words, they (police) can witness when we are talking to our clients but they can't follow the conversation.

"We need complete privacy in this matter, which was denied during the first visit," he disclosed.

He said the police were relying on Section 28A(8) of the CPC by saying that the defence counsels might tamper with evidence, or fear the suspects might abscond.

Sosilawati, 47, her driver, Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, went missing on Aug 30, after they had gone to Banting, Selangor over a land deal.

On Sept 12, police confirmed that the four were killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes strewn in rivers near Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat near Banting.

"They already had more than 14 days in gathering evidence from the suspects...now, let us have access to our clients," said Ravi, who also asked the police to allow the six other suspects in the case to have access to counsel.

Currently, he said, only his wife, Pushpa Ratnam, and he were in the defence team while another lawyer, D. P. Vijandran, had not decided whether to be involved in the team.

Rita Wants To Continue Mother's Legacy

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 28 (Bernama) -- Erni Dekritawati Bukhari, 25, wants to continue the legacy of her mother Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya for the future of her siblings.

Rita as she is fondly known said some people may consider her as young to handle the task but said she had a good teacher in her mother.

"I am prepared for the challenge and keen for some healthy competition," said the eldest sibling who considered Sosilawati and her father Buhari Mohamad as mentor.

Accompanied by close friend Bernama Tv reporter Zulkifli Bujang, Rita said the family was learning to cope with her mother's tragic death and had to be strong for the other five siblings.

"We have accepted reality but are still sad with her death. I will continue from where my mother left off," she said in the Radio 24 programme "Kerusi Panas" helmed by Azlan Idris tonight.

Rita expressed dismay with media reports that exposed assets belonging to the company owned by her late mother.

"They contained the wrong facts. I told the media that all information should first be referred to the police."

She did not want to dwell on her relationship with Zulkifli until all matters relating to her mother's death were resolved.

"I plea with the media not to expose private matters as it can create problems in future. Please respect my privacy."

Rita thanked Malaysians who supported her since news on the murder of her mother and three others spread.

Sosilawati,47, her driver Kamarudin Shamsuddin,44, CIMB bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad,38 and lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim,32, were reported missing on Aug 30 after going to Banting to discuss a land deal.

They were bludgeoned to death, burnt and their ashes strewn in a river in Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat near Banting.

-- BERNAMA

Suspects Taken To Ladang Gadong To Help Find New Evidence

BANTING, Sept 27 (Bernama) -- Four suspects believed responsible for the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others were again taken to Ladang Gadong.

The suspects clad in orange prison attire arrived in a police van at 11.20am Monday to help the forensic team find new evidence.

Police took them away at 3.30pm after no new evidence was found during the four hour search operation.

The search for new evidence in the high profile murder case that has gripped the nation will continue Tuesday.

Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamarudin Shansuddin,44, CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, and lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, were reported missing on Aug 30 after a meeting here over a land matter.

The foursome were bludgeoned to death, burnt and their ashes strewn in a river in Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat near here.

-- BERNAMA

Banting Murders: Police To Dig Two New Burial Sites At Farm

KUALA LANGAT, Sept 25 (Bernama) -- Police Saturday brought in a bulldozer into Ladang Gadong, Banting, to carry out digging works at two new burial sites at the farm where the Banting murders were alleged to have taken place. It is learnt that one of the sites was located within the farm belonging to one of the suspects, while the other was located outside. Police obtained leads to the location of the two sites after the four suspects in the Banting murders were brought to the farm about 4pm, and about half-an-hour later, a bulldozer was seen entering the area. However, digging works at the two sites would only be done tomorrow as all police vehicles, including a van carrying the suspects, left the area about 6.45pm. Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamarudin Shansudin, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim and CIMB bank officer Norhisham Mohammad went missing on Aug 30 after going to Banting for a land purchase deal.

Police found out that they had been killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes thrown into rivers in the vicinity of Sungai Gadong, Tanjung Sepat, near Banting, Selangor. One of the suspects in the case was also linked to the disappearance of several individuals, including a businessman from India, Allal Kanthan Muthuraja, 34, and a contractot from Kedah, Shafik Abdullah, 37, and his friend. Allal was reported missing after arriving in Malaysia last Jan 18, while Shafik and his friend were reported missing five months ago. They went missing allegedly after meeting the suspect. -- BERNAMA

Sosilawati murder: Police expect to wrap up probe soon, says IGP (Updated)

GEORGE TOWN: Police are expected to complete their investigations into the murder of cosmetics queen Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others, soon, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar said on Saturday.

"We are continuing our investigations... we should be able to complete them soon," he told reporters after attending an Aidilfitri open house hosted by state police chief Datuk Ayub Yaakob here.

Meanwhile, in Kuala Langat, Selangor, divers of the Marine Operations Force continued to scour a sluice near Banting for a new lead into the case.

A check by Bernama at the site showed that a police line had been set up about 100 metres from the location, with several police cars seen in the vicinity.

The operations from 11am to 1pm attracted a group of onlookers. Six divers were seen diving in the drainage but there was no telling if they had found anything.

On Tuesday, the divers found what looked like a golden bangle at a sluice in Kampung Sungai Lang, about 200 meters from the location today.

Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamarudin Shansudin, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim and CIMB bank officer Norhisham Mohammad went missing on Aug 30 after going to Banting over a land deal. Police found out that they had been killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes thrown into rivers in the vicinity of Sungai Gadong, Tanjung Sepat, near Banting, Selangor.

Police have arrested eight men, including two lawyers, in connection with the case. - Bernama

Polis nafi laporan akhbar katakan Sosilawati dirogol

KUALA LUMPUR 24 Sept. - Polis hari ini menafikan laporan media yang mengatakan polis sedang menyiasat kemungkinan mangsa pembunuhan kejam Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya dirogol.

Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah Polis Diraja Malaysia (PDRM), Datuk Seri Mohd. Bakri Mohd. Zinin dalam satu kenyataan di sini menafikan laporan itu, yang disiarkan di muka depan sebuah harian berbahasa Melayu semalam bertajuk ‘8 suspek jalani ujian sperma: Polis menyiasat kemungkinan Sosilawati dirogol’.

Mohd. Bakri berkata, “Tujuan kelapan-lapan suspek dibawa ke Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) untuk pemeriksaan adalah bagi memastikan kesemua suspek dalam keadaan baik serta (untuk) mengenal pasti jika ada sebarang kecederaan mahupun penyakit yang dialami semua suspek sebelum dibenarkan berjumpa dengan peguam mereka,” katanya dalam kenyataan itu.

Bakri berkata, selain itu, tiada sebarang pemeriksaan lain dipohon oleh PDRM kepada pihak hospital ke atas kesemua suspek berkenaan.

Laporan akhbar itu mendakwa kesemua suspek termasuk dua beradik peguam diambil sampel darah dan air mani bagi ujian Asid Deoksiribonukleik (DNA) di HKL dua hari lepas.

Difahamkan juga sampel air mani diambil bagi menyiasat maklumat baru kemungkinan salah seorang mangsa turut dirogol. - Bernama

Sosilawati murder: Main suspect claims cops assaulted him

By STEVEN DANIEL

Wives, lawyers get to meet brothers

KUALA LUMPUR: The main suspect in the murders of Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others is claiming that he was punched, kicked and forced to sign documents against his will by the police.

Three lawyers representing the suspect and his brother, both lawyers, managed to meet their clients for the first time at the city police headquarters here Thursday.

They arrived at 3pm and were accompanied by the wives of the suspects who were also granted permission to meet their husbands.

Lawyer D.P. Vijandran and Ravi Nekoo, speaking to the press after the 30-minute meeting, said the 41-year-old suspect claimed he had been abused by the police.

"He claimed he was beaten with a hose, punched in the face and kicked, which aggravated an old spinal injury," Vijandran said, adding that his client has yet to receive medical treatment for his injuries.

The main suspect also claimed he was forced to sign documents against his will.

Vijandran said they would be lodging a police report on the alleged abuse Friday.

"My clients claim they have nothing to do with what (the murders) they are being investigated for and that they are innocent.

"Nonetheless, they are willing to give their full cooperation to the police but hope to be treated fairly at the same time," Vijandran said.

Meanwhile, the wives managed to meet their husbands for about 10 minutes, under the watchful eyes of the police.

"They were not allowed to get close to each other. The wives were very calm and dignified during the meeting," he added.

Sosilawati, 47, and three others — lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, and driver Kamarudin Shansudin, 44, went missing on Aug 30. Their remains were later found in Ladang Gadong, near Banting.

Eight suspects have been detained, among them, the two lawyer brothers.

Sosilawati murder: A-G wants case probed further

PUTRAJAYA: The Attorney-General has returned investigation papers into the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three others to the police, and asked them to probe the case further.

Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has also given several specific instructions to the police on the required probe and follow-up.

The A-G Chambers' prosecution division head Datuk Tun Abd Majid Tun Hamzah, who confirmed that the investigation papers were submitted on Tuesday, said the A-G had also asked the police to investigate other cases said to be linked to the suspects.

"The Attorney-General found that many issues needed further and deeper investigation. He had given certain instructions for the police to carry out.

"The Attorney-General has also asked police to investigate cases which are said to be linked with suspects of this case. Investigation papers were returned to the police on the same day," he said in a statement Wednesday.

Sosilawati, 47, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32 and CIMB bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, went missing on Aug 30 after they want to Banting in Selangor to discuss a land deal.

Police discovered that the four were killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes thrown into rivers near Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat near Banting.

Bar Council has limited powers

KUALA LUMPUR (Sept 21, 2010): The enforcement powers of the Malaysian Bar Council are limited to the professional conduct of their members, said its president Ragunath Kesavan.

"The Bar Council does not have the authority to inquire into the private conduct of individuals who are lawyers by profession, including matters relating to their private lives.

"Our powers are very limited. As a statutory body, they are limited to only supervising and overseeing the professional practice of lawyers," he said today.

Ragunath said matters relating to private bank accounts or other assets that might be owned by a lawyer come under the jurisdiction of other bodies.

"Other enforcement agencies such as the police, the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Bank Negara or the Inland Revenue Board have the mandate to conduct such investigations," he said.

Ragunath went on to say that any individual could search for records of any lawyer on the Bar Council website.

"Any search on the lawyer’s name will produce their records, which will contain whatever information we have," he said.

He said the public could also call up the Bar Council offices during office hours to check the credentials of a lawyer.

Ragunath said information from the public was needed for the council to investigate or exercise its powers, which included the ability to take over a firm or strike a lawyer off the rolls.

"If there are any reports of misconduct, we have the power to take over the lawyer’s practice under Section 88(1) of the Legal Profession Act," he said.

"The Disciplinary Board undertakes a rigorous inquiry into each instance of alleged misconduct by lawyers. On average, 30 lawyers were struck off during each of the past five years," he said.

He said in cases where lawyers were convicted of serious offences such as corruption, fraud or murder, the lawyers were disbarred after a Bar Council inquiry.

Ragunath said that the key suspects in the murder of cosmetics millionaire Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya, 47, and three others were disbarred in November last year.

However, their disbarment was postponed due to a stay of execution granted by the High Court.

Sosilawati, her driver Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and CIMB Bank officer Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, went missing on Aug 30.

Police have discovered that the four were killed, their bodies burnt and the ashes strewn into rivers near Ladang Gadong, Tanjung Sepat, near Banting.

Ragunath said he was concerned that undue allegations or speculations could affect investigations and court proceedings.

"We urge the media to ensure that the rights of all parties, including the detained, are protected," he said.

"A charged person is innocent until proven guilty," he added.

Keputusan DNA belum diterima

KUALA LUMPUR 20 Sept. – Keputusan ujian asid deoksiribonukleik (DNA) ke atas serpihan tulang ditemui di Banting dalam kes pembunuhan kejam jutawan kosmetik, Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya dan tiga lagi yang sepatutnya diketahui hari ini, masih belum diterima polis.

Pengarah Jabatan Siasatan Jenayah, Ibu Pejabat Polis Bukit Aman, Datuk Seri Mohd. Bakri Mohd. Zinin (gambar) ketika mengesahkan perkara itu berkata, Jabatan Patologi Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) masih memerlukan masa untuk mengemas kini ujian terbabit.

“Kita belum menerima keputusan DNA itu yang masih belum selesai. Polis tidak boleh memaksa mereka (Jabatan Patologi HKL) untuk menyiapkan laporan DNA tersebut.

“Saya harap semua pihak dapat memberikan pihak berkenaan masa menyelesaikan ujian terbabit,” katanya ketika dihubungi Utusan Malaysia di sini hari ini.

Sebelum ini, Mohd. Bakri pada satu sidang akhbar memberitahu, keputusan DNA itu dijangka diperolehi selepas empat hari iaitu hari ini.

Katanya, namun tempoh itu mungkin akan dilanjutkan sekiranya pihak patologi memerlukan ujian rapi.

Tambahnya, hasil ujian DNA itu juga bakal mendedahkan identiti pemilik tulang itu yang sebelum ini dikaitkan dengan Sosilawati dan tiga yang lain.

Sosilawati bersama pemandu peribadinya, Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44; pegawai bank CIMB, Noorhisham Mohammad, 38, dan peguam peribadi, Ahmad Kamil Abd. Karim, 32, dilaporkan hilang sejak 30 Ogos lalu selepas dikatakan ke Banting untuk urus niaga tanah.

Pada 13 September lalu, polis mengesahkan empat daripada lapan suspek mengaku memukul keempat-empat mangsa sehingga mati, membakar mayat mereka sebelum abunya dibuang ke dalam sungai berdekatan Ladang Gadong di Banting, Selangor

Sosilawati was in good health, says brother

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Sosi­lawati Lawiya’s family has discounted illness as a reason behind her disappearance.

Her younger brother Masturi, 42, when met outside Sosilawati’s house in Taman Harmonis, Gombak, said his sister had always been in good health.

He added that the family had still not received any ransom demand or warning since her disappearance on Aug 30.

“If it was a kidnapping case, why haven’t we received any call from the kidnappers?” he asked yesterday.

Masturi, from Batu Pahat, said that most of the family members who have been here since the disappearance had returned to their respective homes for Hari Raya, adding that he would be taking care of Sosilawati’s six children here.

Sosilawati went missing on Aug 30 along with her driver Kama­rudin Shansudin, 44, her lawyer Ahmad Kamil Karim, 32, and her financial adviser Noorhisham Mohammad, 38.

Sosilawati’s BMW sports utility vehicle was found near the Angsana flats along USJ1 in Subang Jaya on Monday night.

Meanwhile, the cousin of the missing CIMB Bank officer Noor­hisham, who only wanted to be known as Mazlan, said his cousin had sent a “weird” SMS to his wife (Noorshim’s) on the day he disappeared.

“My cousin sent an SMS stating he wouldn’t be home for the next three days and he would explain everything once he was back. He has never done this before,” he said