The estranged brother of prominent lawyer VK Lingam has urged the Attorney-General Chamber's to appeal for a heavier sentence against the three men who caused the death of another sibling.

vk lingam brother thirunama parliament 161208 03 V Thirunama Karasu ( right ) is disappointed that the Shah Alam High Court on July 31 had only slapped the trio with an eight-year jail sentence over the death of Rajendram.

"Why was such a low sentence meted out for murder? I am deeply shocked at the judgment.

"I find it absolutely difficult to believe this. Very severe punishment should have been meted out for a serious crime," Thirunama told Malaysiakini when met.

The three men had beaten Rajendram at the Audiyar Muniswar temple in Puchong after he allegedly stole an audio system on the night of Aug 2, 2010.

Thirunama expressed puzzlement that his brother was killed simply for supposedly trying to steal audio equipment.

He said Rajendram, who was the youngest and closest to him among the six siblings, was worried and had claimed that people were following him.

He added that his brother had been living in fear ever since he came out to defend him (Thirunama) during the Royal Commission of Inquiry into judicial fixing in 2007.

Thirunama, who had testified against Lingam, who was accused of interfering in judicial appointments, was branded as insane by the latter.

However, Rajendram later defended Thirunama.

Meanwhile, Thirunama also questioned the way the police had investigated Rajendram's death.

"I had informed the police that I visited Rajendram that night, about half an hour before he died and he told me that he was worried about his safety.

"But the police refused to record my statement," he added.

He explained that Rajendram had sought shelter at the temple as he was homeless after Lingam allegedly threw him out from his apartment in Petaling Jaya.