The suspect in the murder of a six-year-old boy was brought to the Jelebu Magistrate’s Court this morning (August 7) after a seven-day remand, which began on August 1, ended. He arrived at the court around 8:45 AM under police escort from the Jempol District Police Headquarters.
Due to the seriousness of the offence under Section 302 of the Penal Code, the accused did not enter a plea after the charge was read and confirmed understanding of the charge.
Magistrate Norshazwani of the Jelebu Court ruled that the accused will not be granted bail and instructed the prosecution to submit both the autopsy and forensic reports. The case has been set for mention on September 10, and will be transferred to the Seremban High Court.
The 36-year-old accused, Arunkumar, was charged with murdering six-year-old boy Dhesan between 9:02 AM and 12:55 PM on July 23, 2025, at the 25th kilometre of Jalan Lobeng, in the Jempol district of Negeri Sembilan. He is charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty. If the death penalty is not imposed, the alternative sentence is 30 to 40 years in prison along with no fewer than 12 strokes of the cane.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Rasidah Murni, while the accused has yet to appoint legal representation.
Previously, Negeri Sembilan Police Chief Dato’ Ahmad Dzaffir stated that the case was initially investigated by Johor police under the Child Act, but once the murder element was confirmed, Negeri Sembilan police took over, as the boy was killed within their jurisdiction.
Johor Bahru police had earlier reported that the victim, six-year-old Indian boy Dhesan Munisamy, was reported missing on July 24. He was last seen at a café in Taman Bukit Indah, Johor.
