THE owner of a popular textile store pleaded not guilty in the Kuala Lumpur Sessions Court today to charges of abetting and causing grievous hurt to his brother-in-law, a former judge, last month.

Pavitar Singh Manjeet Singh, 54, was charged with conspiring with Muhammad Shahrulnizam Mohd Maimun and Muhammad Asyraf Sharin and causing severe injuries to Jagjit Singh Bant Singh, 67, who is lawyer, using a screwdriver at an office in Solaris Dutamas, Publika at 12.50pm on October 19.

He was charged under section 109 read together with section 326 of the penal code, which provides for a prison term of up to 20 years and might carry a fine or whipping upon convicted.

The prosecution said it would not offer bail as the offence is non-bailable but should the court exercise its discretion to do so, it urged for bail to be set at RM100,000 with one surety.

Representing the accused, lawyer Jeremy Vinesh Anthony appealed for lower bail on the grounds his client was the sole breadwinner of his family.

“My client is Gurdwara Sahib Titiwangsa chairman who has close ties with the community, and there is no possibility of him absconding. The accused cooperated with the police during his four-day detention and this is his first time being charged in court,” said the lawyer.

The court set bail at RM25,000 with one surety and set December 5 for next mention. – Bernama, November 17, 2023.