By Asia Samachar | Malaysia |

A 19-year-old man and woman were charged in the Magistrate’s Court in Sepang, Selangor, today (July 10) over the murder of university student Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara in Cyberjaya last month.

The murder of the 20-year-old student hailing from Kuching, Sarawak, had gripped the nation with calls for improved security for student accommodation, with her family calling upon the Ministry of Higher Education and all relevant agencies to ensure and mandate that all universities and colleges urgently review and strengthen safety measures for all their students.

Maniishapriet was found dead in her condominium unit by a friend on June 24 at about 10:00 am. An autopsy identified her cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

At the courts, the first accused, M Sri Darvien, was charged murdering Maniishapriet at Block A, Mutiara Ville Cyberjaya, Persiaran Multimedia, on June 23.

He nodded to indicate he understood the charge after it was read before Magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani. If convicted, Sri Darvien faces the death sentence or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years along with whipping, reported The Malay Mail.

In the same court, the second accused, D. Thineswary, was charged with abetting the murder at the same location and on the same date.

She was charged under Section 109 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 302. If convicted, Thineswary also faces the death sentence or imprisonment between 30 and 40 years and is liable for whipping, the report added.

No plea was recorded from either accused, as murder cases fall under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

Lawyers M Manoharan and Mohamed Baharudeen Mohamed Ariff appeared for Sri Darvien and Thineswary, respectively. Lawyer Rajpal Singh held a watching brief for Maniishapriet’s family. The court then fixed September 11 for mention, according to the report.

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ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here

By Sarawak Tribune | Malaysia |

KUCHING: The family of Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara, whose tragic death has shocked the nation, has called for stronger safety measures for students, especially young women, in institutions of higher learning across the country.

In a statement issued, the family said Maniishapriet, who was set to turn 20 this year with full of dreams and determination, had travelled from Kuching to Kuala Lumpur to pursue her higher education.

“She deserved to feel safe. Every student does. Her life was full of promise, and her loss is not only a tragedy for our family but a wake-up call for society.

“We call upon the Ministry of Higher Education and all relevant agencies to ensure and mandate that all universities and colleges urgently review and strengthen safety measures for all their students.

“It is no longer enough to assume safety; it must be ensured. More must be done to protect our children,” the family said.

OBITUARY: Maniishapriet Kaur Akhara (2005-2025) Kuching, Sarawak

They also stressed that justice for Maniishapriet must go beyond legal accountability, calling for systemic change to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

“Her memory must become the catalyst for real change. What happened to her must never happen to another child again,” the family said.

Maniishapriet, a university student in Cyberjaya, was found dead in her condominium unit by a friend on June 24 at about 10:00 am. An autopsy identified her cause of death as blunt force trauma to the head.

Within 48 hours of the incident, the police had arrested three suspects – a man and two women aged between 19 and 20 – in connection with the murder.

Meanwhile, calls for accountability and institutional reforms to safeguard student safety have continued to grow, with politicians, activists and members of the public urging immediate action.

On July 5, a solemn atmosphere enveloped the Gurdwara Sahib Kuching here as the family members and loved ones gathered to offer final prayers (Antim Ardaas) for Maniishapriet.

Among those present to pay their respects were Sarawak United People’s Party (SUPP) Women chief, Kho Teck Wan, and members of the party’s Pending branch.

For the full report, click here.

RELATED STORY:

Malaysia: Urgent case for student housing reform (Asia Samachar, 25 Feb 2024)

ASIA SAMACHAR is an online newspaper for Sikhs / Punjabis in Southeast Asia and beyond. You can leave your comments at our website, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. We will delete comments we deem offensive or potentially libelous. You can reach us via WhatsApp +6017-335-1399 or email: asia.samachar@gmail.com. For obituary announcements, click here