Couple charged with human trafficking in Seremban

SEREMBAN: A couple claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to charges of trafficking two foreign women for labour exploitation.

S. Kumaraguru, 33, and his wife T. Agatishwari, 32, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to them before judge Surita Budin.

They were jointly charged with trafficking a 41-year-old Myanmar national and a 21-year-old Indian national for labour exploitation purposes.

They allegedly committed the offences at a house in Taman Bayu Indera Lukut in Port Dickson between July and October last year.

The duo were charged under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007 read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and a fine upon conviction.

Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi told the court the prosecution was not offering any bail to the accused.

However, counsel for the accused Hasvinder Singh Gill asked the court to set bail at RM5,000 for each of the accused.

He said the couple were unemployed and had to provide for their two young children and parents.

Surita then set bail at RM12,000 for each of the accused and ordered them to report at the nearest police station once a month until the case is disposed of.

She also told them to stay away from the alleged victims or other witnesses.

The court then fixed May 30 for next mention.