The strong presence of police personnel at the Shah Alam High Court hearing the murder case of cosmetic millionaire Sosilawati Lawiya and three others, caused quite a stir in Shah Alam today.

NONE The matter was raised by counsel Manjeet Singh Dhillon, to which deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff responded saying it was due to the fourth accused, R Kathavarayan ( right ) lodging a police report fearing for his and his family's safety.

Manjeet, former lawyer N Pathmanabhan's counsel, also questioned as to why Kathavarayan had been isolated from all the other accused.

Judge Akhtar Tahir then told Manjeet that during yesterday's proceedings he had ordered Kathavarayan not to be approached by anyone, including both prosecution and defence parties, because he had not completed testifying in court.

Ishak further said that the fourth accused had lodged a report fearing for his family's safety and therefore it was not wrong for the police to carry out their duty.

It is understood that Kathavarayan had lodged the report at the Shah Alam police head quarters yesterday evening, after the day's proceedings.

The report, among others, is understood to state that Kathavarayan will inform the court everything today, but was worried for his family's safety once he testifies.

It is also understood that he requested for police protection for himself and his family.

J udge: Accused must have lawyer

At the start of the proceedings today, Justice Akhtar asked Kathavarayan why he had made the police report and the accused responded that he will explain the reason when he testified later.

raja petra demafation case 200109 manjeet singh dhillon When Justice Akhtar raised the issue of a defence counsel, Kathavarayan answered: "I wish to speak, I don't want a lawyer".

During yesterday's proceedings, counsel Ravi Nekoo, who represented Kathavarayan, had decided to withdraw from the case on the grounds that his client's testimony in court differed from the instructions which were given to him earlier.

Manjeet ( right ) then proposed that the accused needed to be represented as the case involved the mandatory death sentence.

"We've already spent two years (on this case), I do not want to spend another two years. If he doesn't like the counsel he can still change but he should be represented," he said.

After which Judge Akhtar decided that the court will appoint a lawyer for him.

"If he's not represented, he will give evidence which is not relevant. The counsel will facilitate the questions to be put. The accused can trust the lawyer," said Akhtar.

NONE Following the developments today, Akhtar decided to adjourn the hearing to Jan 14, next year.

Kathavarayan, 32, Pathmanabhan ( left ), 43, T Thilaiyalagan, 21, and R Matan, 22, were ordered to enter their defence on a charge of murdering Sosilawati, 47, bank officer Noorhisham Mohamad, 38, lawyer Ahmad Kamil Abdul Karim, 32, and Sosilawati's driver, Kamaruddin Shamsuddin, 44.

They allegedly committed the offence at Ladang Gadong, Lot 2001, Jalan Tanjong Layang, Tanjung Sepat, Banting between 8.30pm and 9.45pm on Aug 30, 2010.

The charge, under Section 302 of the Penal Code, carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

- Bernama