MELAKA: A 54-year-old Bangladeshi lecturer from a public university in another state pleaded not guilty at the Ayer Keroh Magistrate's Court to two counts of sexually assaulting two male students.
The accused, M. Rezaul Karim, entered his plea before Magistrate Nur Afiqah Radhiah Zainurin on Monday (Feb 17).
According to the charges, Rezaul Karim allegedly used criminal force with the intent to commit sexual assault by touching and pinching the genitals of his two students, both aged 23.
The incidents allegedly took place between 2.30am and 3.15am inside a hotel room in the Melaka Tengah district on Oct 24 and Oct 25, 2024.
He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years’ imprisonment, a fine, whipping, or any two combinations of these punishments upon conviction.
Insp Norhayati Yusof appeared for the prosecution, while lawyer Mohd Faiezad Razali represented the accused.
Mohd Faiezad requested a lower bail amount, highlighting that his client is married, has three children, and works as a contract lecturer at a public university in the east coast.
The court granted bail at RM4,000 for each charge with two local sureties and ordered the accused to surrender his passport.
The case is scheduled for mention on March 27.
