Johor bahru: Six individuals, including a woman, have pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court to charges of kidnapping a 32-year-old Singaporean man to demand a ransom of S$20,000 (RM63,000) earlier this month. The accused, identified as M. Balamurugan, 46, K. Saravanan, 40, P. Sri Devi, 41, G. Puganeswaran, 38, S. Gobinath, 38, and X. Adwin Nicholas, 41, appeared before Judge Nor Aziati Jaafar to respond to the charges.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the charges allege that the six were involved in the joint intent of kidnapping the victim in front of a church in Skudai around 2 pm on August 8. The charges fall under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961, in conjunction with Section 34 of the Penal Code, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to 40 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor R. Nevina argued against bail, citing the seriousness and non-bailable nature of the offence. However, K. Veeranesh, representing Sri Devi, appealed for bail due to her unemployment and familial responsibilities. Other accused also sought bail on similar grounds. Ultimately, the court granted bail at RM50,000 each with two local sureties, alongside conditions to prevent harassment of the victim and prosecution witnesses, requiring monthly police station reporting, and passport surrender if applicable.
In a related case at the Magistrate's Court, the six accused pleaded not guilty before Magistrate A. Shaarmini to a separate charge of kidnapping a 33-year-old Singaporean woman with intent to secretly and wrongfully confine her. This act allegedly took place between August 8 and August 11 at Skudai Villa Apartment, Jalan Aman, Taman Skudai Baru. The charge under Section 365 of the Penal Code, read with Section 34, could result in a seven-year prison sentence and a fine if convicted. Bail was set at RM10,000 each with similar conditions as the previous case.
In another courtroom, Balamurugan, Saravanan, and Gobinath faced charges of gang robbery against the Singaporean man, involving theft of a gold necklace and a Rolex watch from a car in Johor Bahru Utara on August 8. Charged under Section 395 of the Penal Code, the potential penalty includes a 20-year prison sentence and caning. Bail was set at RM9,000 each with conditions mirroring previous cases.
Additionally, Saravanan and Puganeswaran admitted guilt to charges of injuring the Singaporean man with a knife at an apartment in Taman Skudai Baru on August 11. Charged under Section 324 of the Penal Code, they were fined RM3,000 each, with a six-month jail term imposed for non-payment.
All cases are scheduled for mention on September 23, allowing time for the appointment of legal representation.