Three committee members of the Audiyar Muniswarar Temple in Jalan Puteri, Bandar Puteri, Puchong were charged in the Petaling Jaya Magistrate's Court with the alleged murder of prominent lawyer VK Lingam's youngest brother, last week.

DK Saravanan, 29, A Thayalan, 30, and M Devidasan 30, were charged with the murder of V Rajendram, 52, at the Audiyar Muniswarar temple between 9.30pm on Aug 2 and 12.05am on Aug 3.

The three accused, represented by P Sutheswary, were charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

rajendram velupillai vk lingam brother interview 300108 sullen Saravanan, a wireman, Thayalan a self-employed and Devidasan, a factory worker, nodded theirs heads when the charge was read out in Bahasa Malaysia in front of magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Mohammad Ghulam.

Mohamad Ibrahim later set Sept 23 for mention of the case.

Deputy public prosecutor Siti Fatimah Yahya led the prosecution.

Rajendram ( left ) was believed to have died at about 3am on Aug 3, shortly after three men had beaten him up following an argument at the temple, believed to be over an issue of collections in the temple.

- Bernama