A COUPLE pleaded not guilty at the Johor Baru Sessions Court today to two charges of abusing two brothers who were placed under their care between June and September.

According to the first charge, R. Kartik, 32, and B. Darga Devi, 24, are alleged to have abused an 11-year-old boy by hitting him with a cane, a cloth hanger and a mop stick, placing a hot knife on his hand, burning on his body with cigarettes and banging his head against a wall.

For the second charge, they are accused of abusing the younger brother, aged seven, by hitting him with a cane and a mop stick, placing a hot knife on his hand, burning his body and genitals with cigarettes, pouring hot water on his body and banging his head against a wall.

The offences were allegedly committed at a Selesa Jaya flat near Bandar Selesa Jaya in Iskandar Puteri from 8pm and 1am, between June and September.

They were charged under section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001 and read together with section 34 of the penal code, which provides for imprisonment up to 10 years or a RM20,000 fine, or both, if found guilty.

Judge Wan Mohd Norisham Wan Yaakob fixed bail at RM30,000 and RM15,000 in two sureties for Kartik, a part-time cook, and his wife respectively.

The couple, who have three children, are also to report to the nearest police station every two weeks and surrender their passports. They were also ordered not harass the prosecution witnesses.

The court then set November 24 for remention of the case.

On October 6, Kartik’s mother, B. Mariamah, 60, and his sister, R. Deeba, 37, also pleaded not guilty in the same court to charges of abusing the brothers.

It is understood that the boys are being treated at the Sultanah Aminah Hospital in Johor Baru for their injuries. – Bernama, October 12, 2021.