Three men pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court today to charges of committing a group robbery involving 62 copper bars belonging to a company last month.
The accused — lorry drivers R. Uthayakumar, 34, and C. Narendran, 50, as well as unemployed V. Navendre Nair, 24 — entered their pleas before Judge Datin Surita Budin after the charges were read out in court.
According to the charge sheet, the trio allegedly committed a group robbery against a company by stealing 62 copper bars, which were under the company’s possession and control. The incident occurred at around 6 p.m. on September 27 along Jalan Seremban–Bukit Nenas Highway, Nilai.
The offence is punishable under Section 395 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years’ imprisonment, and may also include a fine or whipping upon conviction.
In addition, a businessman, G. G. Gartick, 39, and a lorry driver, S. Mithiran Nair, 30, were charged with abetting in the same group robbery. They face similar punishment under Section 395, read together with Section 109 of the Penal Code.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurnadiahani Mohd Ideris offered bail of RM20,000 for each accused, with additional conditions.
However, lawyer S. Khartigesan, representing Narendran (who is a person with disability), Gartick, and Mithiran, appealed for a lower bail, citing financial hardship. Uthayakumar also sought a reduced amount, explaining that he is single and supports his mother who suffers from high blood pressure, while Navendre Nair recently lost his job.
The court granted bail of RM15,000 for each accused, with the condition that they must report to the nearest police station once a month. The case has been fixed for mention on November 10.
