FOUR friends pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court in George Town on Friday to charges of participating in an unlawful assembly that allegedly inflicted grievous injuries on a man during a machete attack at a temple in Jelutong last week.
R. Nahveen Raaj, 34, S. Logakumaran, 31, M. Sanjit Kumar, 38, and K. Dineskumar, 30, entered their pleas before Sessions Court Judge Irwan Suainbon after the joint charge was read out. All four indicated their pleas by shaking their heads.
The accused, together with four other suspects who remain at large, are alleged to have been members of an unlawful assembly in which grievous hurt was caused to Mohamed Umar Sheriff Mohamed Ameen, 31, at Hean Seng Kong Temple in Jelutong at about 4.25am on June 21.
They were charged under Section 149 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 326, which provides for a maximum prison sentence of 20 years, as well as whipping and a fine, upon conviction, according to NST.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Lee Jun Keong urged the court to refuse bail, arguing that the case was of a serious nature and had attracted significant public attention.
He told the court that the victim remains hospitalised and said there was a risk the accused could abscond, interfere with witnesses or intimidate victims if released.
Lee added that police were still searching for four remaining suspects and that investigations were continuing into injuries sustained by a second victim.
"Only one charge has been preferred at this stage, with another expected once investigations are completed," he said, adding that releasing the accused could jeopardise the probe.
Defence counsel V. Parthipan, representing all four accused, submitted that although Section 326 is a non-bailable offence, the court retained discretion under Section 388 of the Criminal Procedure Code to grant bail.
He argued that the prosecution had failed to provide evidence that the accused presented a flight risk or were likely to interfere with witnesses, describing those concerns as speculative.
Parthipan said all four men had permanent addresses, stable employment and strong family ties in Penang, and had fully cooperated with the police investigation.
He told the court that Nahveen is a tow truck driver earning RM2,000 a month who supports his elderly parents; Logakumaran is a lorry driver earning RM3,000 and is the sole caregiver for his 71-year-old grandmother; Sanjit is a hotel technician earning RM3,000 who supports his wife, child and elderly mother while receiving treatment for hypertension; and Dineskumar, who married a month ago, is a subcontractor supporting his wife and mother.
The defence further submitted that the accused were prepared to comply with strict bail conditions, including surrendering their passports, reporting regularly to the police and refraining from contacting victims or prosecution witnesses.
"The existence of four suspects still at large should not prejudice the accused's right to bail," he said.
After hearing submissions from both parties, Judge Irwan dismissed the bail application, ruling that there remained a risk of absconding and interference with witnesses, particularly as the principal victim continues to receive hospital treatment.
The court fixed Aug 28 for further mention pending the submission of a full medical report.
Police investigations indicate the attack allegedly stemmed from a misunderstanding at a nightclub earlier that morning after the victim was accused of stealing a mobile phone.
Investigators subsequently determined that the allegation was unfounded.
The victim was later allegedly followed to Hean Seng Kong Temple, where he was attacked by about seven men armed with parangs. A 64-year-old temple caretaker who attempted to intervene was also assaulted.
The younger victim suffered the loss of an index finger, while the caretaker lost a little finger. Both sustained multiple slash wounds and are reported to be in stable condition.
Police are also investigating whether the suspects have links to organised crime groups. - June 26, 2026
