A 27-year-old unemployed man pleaded not guilty today at the Sessions Court to charges of dangerous driving, which allegedly caused injuries during a hit-and-run incident in January.
M. Lavindran faces accusations of reckless driving that resulted in harm to two individuals, Mahariff Mahali, 41, and Muhammad Ariff Asraff Jamaluddin, 21, in an incident that occurred in front of a entertainment centre on Jalan Klang Lama at approximately 6:18 a.m. on January 29.
The charge against Lavindran was brought under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 20 years if convicted.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nidzuwan Abd Latip informed the court that bail was not being offered due to the severity of the offence and the risk of the defendant absconding.
"Initially, the accused could not be located, and he was only arrested on March 17 in Jalan Travers," said Nidzuwan.
"Given the circumstances, the prosecution is not offering any bail as the accused poses a flight risk."
Lavindran's defence lawyer, T. Mishant, requested that his client be granted bail, arguing that bail would simply ensure the accused's attendance in court and was not intended as a punitive measure.
However, Judge Mohd Zaki Mohd Salleh ruled against granting bail and set the next hearing for April 28.
The case will be revisited at that time, and Lavindran remains in custody while awaiting further proceedings. – March 21, 2025
