Kathavarayan denies receiving RM30k for 'work' on Aug 30, 2010

The fourth accused in the murder trial of cosmetic millionairess Datuk Sosilawati Lawiya and three other individuals today denied that he received RM30,000 from first accused N.Pathmanabhan as pay for 'works' done on the night of the alleged murders.

R.Kathavarayan, 33, made the denial during cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Ishak Mohd Yusoff at the High Court here today.

In his previous testimony, Kathavarayan had said that he received RM30,000 from Pathmanabhan on Sept 3 2010 for construction works at a farm in Tanjung Sepat, Banting.

Kathavarayan, together with Pathmanabhan, 44, T. Thilaiyalagan, 22, and R.Matan, 23, have been 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.

All four face the mandatory death sentence, upon conviction under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

Kathavarayan also denied Ishak's suggestion that Sosilawati, Noorhisham, Ahmad Kamil and Kamaruddin were actually killed between 8.30 pm and 9.45 pm on Aug 30 2010 by being stabbed in the nape by Thilaiyalagan.

"I put it to you, that you Thilaiyalagan, Matan, U.Suresh and S.Sarawanan had placed the bodies of these four people, who had been stabbed, on a pile of wood to be burned," said Ishak, to which the fourth accused responded "I don't agree."

Suresh, 30, and another farm worker K.Sarawanan, 23, are now serving a 20-year prison term at the Sungai Udang Prison in Melaka for disposing the evidence related to the murders.

Kathavarayan further denied Ishak's suggestion that he had driven the Isuzu D-Max four-wheel drive to dispose off the ashes of the four burnt bodies on Aug 31 2010.

However, he admitted that Pathmanabhan had ordered the vehicle to be washed in order to clean any evidence before it was seized by the police.

To another question by Ishak, Kathavarayan said Pathmanabhan had taken about RM1 million in cash to his (Pathmanabhan) house on the morning of Sept 3 2010.

"Halfway there, I was dropped off near my car and Pathmanabhan said he wanted to take the money to his house," he said while adding he did not know where the money was obtained.

During cross-examination by deputy public prosecutor Saiful Edris Zainuddin, Kathavarayan said he had denied knowing Sosilawati, Noorhisham, Ahmad Kamil and Kamaruddin when their pictures were shown to him by police, as he was told to do so by Pathmanabhan.

"So you lied to the police," said Saiful Edris and Kathavarayan replied, Yes."

"You lied to save yourself," said Saiful Edris and Kathavarayan answered, No."

The trial before Judge Datuk Akhtar Tahir, which entered its 100th day, resumes on Jan 30.