The accused, SRC Parkash Rao, MV Aligeswaran, T Tiagesan, and K Shanker, all aged 25, nodded after the charge was read out before magistrate Naidatul Athirah Azman.

No plea was recorded as the case falls under the jurisdiction of the High Court.

They are accused of acting together with another individual still at large to murder N Jeyagoby, 70, at No. 110, Lorong Emas L2/1, Pekan Baru, Hilir Perak, between 6am and 6.30am on April 17.

The charge was brought under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the death penalty or imprisonment of up to 40 years, upon conviction.

If they are not sentenced to death, they will also be liable to no fewer than 12 strokes of the rotan.

The prosecution was handled by deputy public prosecutor Nur Darwis Aghniya Halim Azizi, while the accused were unrepresented. No bail was offered as the case falls under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

The court set July 13 for the next case mention.