SIX men have claimed trial at the Sessions Court in Petaling Jaya on Monday to charges of kidnapping a businessman and demanding an RM8 million ransom in Dataran Sunway on 16 July.
The accused, A Ravichandran, 45; R Elanggovan, 45; M Jeyaraj, 43; Moses De Bretto John Patrick, 40; Ziyauddin, 33; and Muhammad Afiq Safine, 36, entered their pleas after the charge was read before Sessions Court Judge Dr Syahliza Warnoh.
According to the charge, the six men, together with seven others who are still at large, allegedly kidnapped Chui Kok Mun, 44, with the intention of demanding RM8 million in ransom at a nasi kandar restaurant in Dataran Sunway at about 5.15pm on 16 July.
They were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.
If convicted, they face imprisonment of not less than 30 years and not more than 40 years, as well as whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khaire did not offer bail, arguing that offences under the relevant provision were non-bailable.
“In this case, it also involves a large amount of RM8 million, while the punishment provided is between 30 and 40 years,” he said.
Lawyers T Daneish and S Vinesh, representing Moses De Bretto, appealed for bail, citing that their client, a used cooking oil businessman, had a wife and two children aged 11 and nine.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran, Elanggovan and Jeyaraj, who work at a car wash, were represented by lawyer Kailash Sharma.
Kailash said Ravichandran supported a wife who worked as a clerk earning RM1,800 monthly, as well as three children.
“Elanggovan is the sole breadwinner with a monthly income of RM1,500, supporting his wife and three children, while Jeyaraj supports his wife and two children,” he said.
Ziyauddin and Muhammad Afiq, who were unrepresented, also appealed for bail, citing their responsibilities towards three and six young children respectively.
However, Judge Dr Syahliza ruled that no bail would be granted to all six accused and fixed 11 September for mention of the case.
On 18 July, it was reported that police rescued a businessman who had been kidnapped by a group of suspects demanding ransom.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Datuk M Kumar Muthuvelu was previously reported as saying that the victim was rescued through a special operation at a residential unit in Shah Alam at about 1am.
Earlier, the six accused arrived at the Petaling Jaya Court Complex at 9.30am in two vans, handcuffed and under tight security by armed Criminal Investigation Department personnel. - July 27, 2026
