The bereaved family of T. Nhaveen refuted the allegation that they have been seeking donations from the public through a WhatsApp message which went viral right after the teenager succumbed to his injuries at the Penang Hospital here Thursday.

Instead, Nhaveen's uncle, R. Thiyagarajan, 50, said the family was informed about the WhatsApp message by members of the media who joined them in waiting for the completion of the post mortem on Nhaveen's body at the hospital last night.

"We never sought public donations. The message is a hoax. What we want is justice for my nephew," he said.

The WhatsApp message allegedly seeking public donations for the family following the death of the teenager also contained a CIMB account number under the name of M. Shanmugam.

Thiyagarajan said the family had appointed lawyer Baljit Singh to represent them in Nhaveen's case.

He said they also hoped that the police would carry out thorough investigations and take appropriate action to bring the culprits to justice.

In the 2.10 am incident on June 10, Nhaveen and his friend T. Previin were at a food stall when they were allegedly bullied and beaten up by five teenagers using helmets.

Previin, however, managed to escape to safety with minor injuries.

Nhaveen, on the other hand, was subjected to a horrific physical and sexual abuse, and was declared brain dead. He died this evening without regaining consciousness.

Police had so far arrested the five suspects and the case was being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

-- BERNAMA