A TEMPLE committee member was charged in the Sessions Court in Seremban today with criminal breach of trust in connection over a dispute about a statue of a deity three years ago.

M. Natarajen, 39, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out to him before judge Diana Md Razali.

Natarajen, who is a member of the Sri Balanthandayuthabani temple committee at Rantau, was charged with committing the breach of trust, accused of switching a statue of Lord Murugan – which he had been entrusted to send for repair – for a duplicate.

He was alleged to have committed the offence at the temple in April and May 2018 under Section 406 of the Penal Code, which provides for imprisonment of not more than 10 years, with whipping and fine, if convicted.

The court allowed the accused bail of RM20,000 with one surety with the additional condition that he surrendered his passport until the case is completed and to report to the nearest police station every month.

The court adjourned the case until November 10 and submission of documents.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Christopher Enteri Anak Mawan, while the accused was represented by counsels S. Karthigesan, M. Manoharan and AR Thamayanthy. – Bernama, October 6, 2021.