GEORGE TOWN: Four men claimed trial at a Magistrate’s Court here to extorting money and inducing fear in a man by impersonating the police.
P. Veeran, 36, S. Rohan Raj, 22, L. Yuvarajan, 21, and S. Siva, 22, denied the joint charge of extorting RM18,000 in cash from S. Prabakaran, 55, at about 12.30am on March 21 at an apartment in Jalan Helang, Gelugor, by inducing fear in the victim that he would be arrested by the police.
They were charged under Section 384 of the Penal Code read together with Section 34 of the same Act.
If convicted, they face a maximum jail term of 10 years or a fine or whipping, or any two of such punishments upon conviction.
The four men’s defence counsel urged for a minimum bail.
He told the court yesterday that Veeran was unemployed and married with three children, Rohan was a security guard, married and supporting his family and elderly parents, while Yuvarajan is a student.
Off to court: Four of the accused in the case being escorted to the courtroom in George Town, Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
The lawyer added that Siva worked as a security guard and earned RM1,200 a month to support his family.
Deputy public prosecutor Syairah Aqilah Khalil urged bail to be set at RM7,000 for each accused and for all four accused not to go near the victim until the completion of the case.
Magistrate Mohamad Azlan Basri allowed bail of RM7,000 for each accused with one surety each and ordered them to stay away from the victim and other witnesses.
He fixed the case to be mentioned on April 28.
In another Magistrate’s Court, Veeran and Rohan claimed trial to separate charges of impersonating police officers that same day, time and location.
The offence under Section 170 of the Penal Code for impersonating a public servant, specifically a police officer, carries a maximum penalty of two years’ jail, a fine, or both, upon conviction.
Rohan was also separately charged with possessing a fake plastic pistol on the same day and place.
He denied the charge under Section 36 of the Arms Act 1960, which carries a maximum sentence of one year jail or a fine not exceeding RM5,000, or both if convicted.
Deputy public prosecutor S. Preeya Darrsini urged for an appropriate bail for the accused while the lawyer asked for a reduced bail as his clients had other charges.
Magistrate Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi set bail at RM6,000 for each of the three charges with one surety each and fixed May 22 to mention the case.
