This past weekend, news of 18-year-old T. Nhaveen being brutally assaulted to the point of becoming brain-dead shocked the entire nation.
Nhaveen was supposed to leave for Kuala Lumpur yesterday (12th June) to apply for college to study music.
Described as nothing but friendly and jovial, Nhaveen has a passion for music and had dreams of becoming like Oscar-winning music composer, A. R. Rahman.
However, at his current state, his chances of achieving that dream seems bleak no thanks to a senseless act of violence.
Source: Facebook
According to The Star, Nhaveen and his friend Praviin were both violently assaulted by a group of five young men. Now, in an even more tragic turn of events, Nhaveen has been declared brain-dead by his doctors at Penang Hospital.
In a report by Free Malaysia Today, the two young teenagers were reportedly going to a food stall to get food when they were approached by the group, who began to violently assault them.
According to the authorities, Nhaveen sustained injuries on his head, hips and even his anus, which was likely penetrated by a blunt object. Apart from that, he even suffered burns on his back.
Praviin however, managed to escape but his cheekbones were crushed due to the assault.
Source: Facebook
Although he was bullied by these young men back in secondary school for being ‘effeminate’, the incident reportedly unfolded as a result of the two young men refusing to join a secret society gang.
The two were reportedly approached by an acquaintance, who wanted to recruit them into the gang. According to one of Nhaveen’s close friends, he said,
“Nhaveen and Previin refused to join them. They wanted to work and have a normal life.”
The group found the two attempting to buy food and decided to brutally assault them for not wanting to be part of the gang. After a while, they took the two boys to a field near Nhaveen’s home, where they continued to torture and violate him.
It was reported that Nhaveen is epileptic and likely suffered a seizure while he was assaulted. He even has a brain tumour for which he was under medication.
After completing the horrific deed, one of the attackers called Nhaveen’s mother and told her to pick her son up.
Source: New Straits Times
Scared by the call, she asked her brother to go find her son. The young man’s uncle then found him lying in a pool of blood not too far from their home in Gelugor.
As if committing physical assault wasn’t enough, the group of teenagers then went over to Nhaveen’s apartment complex, where they shouted threats like, “you’re next” to his younger sister.
Understandably terrified, his sister remained in her home until a relative arrived to pick her up.
Nhaveen was then rushed to the hospital, where he underwent treatment for his horrific injuries in the intensive care unit (ICU).
Despite being under the care of expert doctors, the poor teen’s injuries were so severe that he was declared brain-dead.
Thankfully though, all five suspects are now under police custody and are currently being investigated under Section 148 of the Penal Code for rioting with weapons.
Source: The Star
UPDATE: The Star has now reported that the five teenagers who allegedly beat Nhaveen and Previin have been given further remand. Two of them were given a further one-day remand while the rest were remanded for another three days.
Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of this young man and hope that they can find strength through this unfathomably trying time.
Also read: Young Malaysian Cadet Tortured to Death by Uni Mates Over Laptop Dispute
