Lawyer S Kanawagi today pleaded not guilty to 11 counts of criminal breach of trust (CBT) involving RM12 million in Linggui Valley Orang Asli trust fund.

On the first count, Kanawagi, 71, was charged with dishonestly approving the withdrawal of RM7 million from the trust fund for the acquisition of 27 condominium units in Lantai Gurney, Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur between July 14, 2008 and July 13, 2009.

On the second and third counts, he was charged with making two telegraphic transfers involving RM328,279 in 2003 and RM47,933 the following year.

Kanawagi also faced seven other charges of withdrawing money of between RM21,500 and RM1,158,160 from the trust fund between 2001 and 2008.

On the eleventh count, Kanawagi was charged with acting contrary to the terms of the trust-deed by withdrawing RM2.2 million from the trust fund to pay someone by the name of Hamzah Mohamed Tahir.

He was alleged to have committed all the offences at his legal firm, Messrs Khana & Co at No 3, Jalan Abdullah, Off Jalan Bangsar in Kuala Lumpur.

Meanwhile, Kanawagi’s son, Dinesh, who is also a lawyer, also pleaded not guilty when charged with abetting his father in approving the withdrawal of RM7 million from the trust fund for the acquisition of the condominiums in the interest of Virgin Properties, where he serves as a board member.

Judge Mahmud Abdullah allowed Kanawagi bail of RM700,000 in two sureties, and RM200,000 in one surety for Dinesh.

He also ordered both the accused to surrender their passports to the court and fixed May 15 for re-mention.

Kanawagi and Dinesh were represented by Manjeet Singh Dhilon, while deputy public prosecutors Farhan Read and C Vignesh Kumar prosecuted.

On May 11 last year, Kanawagi was sentenced to six years’ jail and fined RM80,000 by the Sessions Court after he was found guilty of using falsified power-of-attorney letter in preparing the affidavit involving a property in Bangsar.

- Bernama