SEREMBAN: Four suspects claimed trial at the Sessions Court here on Friday (Aug 29) to charges of raping a girl who was some three months away from celebrating her twelfth birthday.
K. Kumar, 39; M. Thineshvaran, 30; Sayrran Kumar, 21; and G. Niressh Pillai, 20; pleaded not guilty after the charges were read to them separately before Judge Surita Budin.
Sayrran Kumar was charged with raping the victim in a car in Taman ACBE in Bahau at around 11.30am in June and again in a house in Taman Meranti between noon and 12.30pm on Aug 23.
The three others were charged with raping the same victim at the same house between 11am and 3.30pm on Aug 23.
Sayyran Kumar also claimed trial to raping another 12-year-old girl at the same house between 11.30am to noon on the same day.
The four were charged under Section 376(1) of the Penal Code for rape which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Norazhihah Asmuni then told the court her team was offering the accused bail of RM30,000 with one surety for each charge.
She also asked the court to order the accused to stay away from the victim and the witnesses, to report at the nearest police station monthly until the case is disposed of and to surrender their passports to the court.
Lawyer Revin Kumar who appeared for Sayrran Kumar and Niressh told the court the bail amount offered was excessive as the purpose of bail was to ensure their attendance in court.
He said both his clients, who were mechanics, suffered from medical conditions and came from poor families.
S. Virochean who represented Kumar also pleaded for a lower bail as his client was not a flight risk as he had his own transport business.
The accused, he said, also had to provide for his wife and four children.
His client he said also suffered from end state renal failure and had to undergo dialysis treatment thrice a week.
Ramzani Idris, who appeared for Thineshvaran also asked for lower bail as his client was a lorry driver who had to provide for his wife and two children.
Judge Surita then set bail at RM10,000 with one surety for each charge for the three older suspects while Niressh Pillai, who was a young offender, was offered RM5,000.
She also allowed the other applications made by the prosecution.
The court then fixed Oct 15 for mention.
