Senior lawyer Rajesh Kumar Gejinder Nath, 45, today pleaded not guilty in the sessions court to a charge of violating a magistrate's court order which prohibited any public rally from being held at Dataran Merdeka from April 28 until May 1.

The member of the Malaysian Bar Council’s disciplinary committee also pleaded not guilty to an alternative charge of together with supporters of the coalition for clean and fair elections, Bersih 3.0, being present at the prohibited gathering which could cause rioting or fracas at Dataran Merdeka on April 28.

He is alleged to have committed the offence at about 3pm on April 28 at the square located in Jalan Raja.

On the first count, Rajesh Kumar was charged under Section 143 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to six months or a fine, or both, upon conviction.

On the alternative charge under Section 188 of the Penal Code, he faces a jail term of up to six months or a fine of up to RM2,000, or both, if convicted.

    

Rajesh Kumar is the first person to be brought to the Jalan Duta court over the April 28 illegal gathering.

PKR Rasah division deputy chief, R. Tangam, 50, was the first to be charged in court on May 3 over the gathering.

DPP Ishak Mohd Yusoff asked the court to fix bail for Rajesh Kumar at RM5,000 in one surety.

However, his counsel N. Sivanesan asked that the amount be reduced to RM2,000, considering that the accused had cooperated with police by surrendering himself to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters upon being informed that police required his cooperation for their investigation.

Judge Mahmud Abdullah set bail at RM2,500 in one surety and fixed June 5 for  re-mention of the case.

- Bernama