Port Dickson: A lorry driver avoided the death sentence by pleading guilty to an alternative charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder in the High Court for the death of his father. Judge Datin Rohani Ismail sentenced K P Niruben, aged 28, to three years in prison, effective from the date of his arrest on August 5, 2023.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Niruben initially faced charges under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the possibility of the death penalty or imprisonment ranging between 30 to 40 years, accompanied by a minimum of 12 lashes if not sentenced to death. However, he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge under Section 304(b) of the Penal Code, related to culpable homicide not amounting to murder of his father, K K Paramasivan, aged 51.

The offense occurred between 12:20 am and 1:10 am at a residence in Kota Lukut, Port Dickson on August 5, 2023. During the mitigation phase, Niruben’s lawyer, S Paul Krishnaraja, explained that Niruben, a lorry driver, was responsible for his younger sister and mother. The lawyer detailed that on the incident day, the victim, who was inebriated, got into an altercation with his wife and directed abusive language towards her, prompting Niruben to intervene.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Baizura Mohd Saubian led the prosecution in this case.