AN Ipoh couple has pleaded not guilty to three charges of committing criminal mischief, including allegedly using petrol bombs to damage property in incidents believed to be linked to illegal moneylending activities.
M. Dhinakaran and B. Rahtheneswary, both aged 34, entered their pleas after the charges were read out in Tamil before Sessions Court Judge Ainul Shahrin Mohamad.
The couple, who were allegedly linked to loan shark activities, were accused of throwing a bottle containing a petrol bomb that caused damage to five houses and a car at two separate locations in Pekan Razaki and Taman Kledang Suria, Menglembu.
The alleged incidents took place between 4am and 5am on June 4 and June 11.
The charges were framed under Section 436 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 34 of the same law, which carries a maximum punishment of 20 years’ imprisonment and a fine upon conviction.
They were also charged with committing mischief by fire with the intention of causing damage to the entrance of a house in Jalan Menglembu Bestari at about 3.30am on June 12.
The offence was charged under Section 435 of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of 14 years and a fine upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor M. Raveenaa proposed bail of RM20,000 for each accused for the first and second charges, and RM10,000 for the third charge. She also requested additional conditions requiring both accused to report to a police station once a month.
The couple, who were unrepresented by lawyers during the bail application, appealed for a lower amount, citing that they did not have a fixed income.
The court subsequently allowed both accused to be released on bail of RM11,000 each with one surety and fixed August 11 for case mention and the appointment of legal counsel.
In a separate proceeding at the Ipoh Magistrate’s Court, Dhinakaran was fined RM7,500 after pleading guilty to three charges of committing criminal mischief involving the splashing of red paint on property belonging to three individuals.
The offences, charged under Sections 426 and 427 of the Penal Code, were allegedly committed at three separate locations around Ipoh and Menglembu between June 4 and June 8, 2026.
Rahtheneswary, meanwhile, claimed trial to two similar charges.
The Magistrate’s Court granted her bail of RM3,500 for each charge with one surety and set August 12 and August 19 for further mention of the cases.
The prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutors Muhammad Zulqarnain Wan Asmira and S. Nishaalini, while the accused were represented by National Legal Aid Foundation (YBGK) lawyers Robert S. Gnanarajan, Intan Shafini Mior Shahrin, E.P. Seeralasittan and Canice Chan Hong Yan. - July 10, 2026
