A relative of one of the teenagers accused of murdering T Nhaveen claimed that lawyers were not willing to represent the four.

The Star Online quoted him as saying that the accused's family had approached several lawyers.

However, he added the lawyers refused to take up the case because the word “sodomised” had been used in reports regarding the case.

When Nhaveen was battling for his life in the Penang Hospital's intensive care unit after being declared brain dead, his uncle was reported as claiming that doctors had informed the family that the teenager was sodomised.

"What is more distressing is that we were told by doctors and nurses that he was sodomised and there were burn marks on his back," M Vincent had told a press conference.

Nhaveen succumbed to his injuries on June 15, five days after he and a friend T Previin, were allegedly assaulted by his attackers, who were believed to be their former schoolmates.

The case which garnered immense public attention has led to the families of those charged being condemned and threatened.

The Malaysian Insight reported how one of the suspect's father had complained about the claim that the victim had been sodomised, which was not proven or established.

His wife claimed that she was being branded a prostitute and told that she not have given birth to her son.

"Some are saying they want to kill my son. Some people have circulated his photo and the others' on social media," she said.

Because of the attacks on social media, she said they could not go to work, and some of the other suspects' families had to stop sending their kids to school since the incident.

Meanwhile, one of the teenagers, who was charged with causing grievous hurt to Nhaveen's friend Previin, 19, with a helmet, broke down in the Sessions Court in Georgetown yesterday when he saw his family.

According to The Star, this prompted his brother to console S Gokulan, 18, from afar through hand gestures, asking him to calm down.

They were charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail sentence of 20 years and fine or whipping upon conviction.

The other accused are college student J. Ragesuthen, 18, and two secondary school students aged 16 and 17.

Judge Irwan Suainbon fixed Aug 21 for mention pending the medical and chemist reports.

The four were later taken to a magistrate’s court where they were jointly charged with murdering Nhaveen at the same time and place.