An Indian national pleaded not guilty at the Magistrate’s Court in Petaling Jaya today on two counts of outraging the modesty of two women in the LRT two weeks ago.

According to the first and second charges, S Saravanakumar, 27, a restaurant assistant, was charged with using criminal force with the intention to outrage the modesty of two women, aged 28 and 29, on their thighs and private parts.

Saravanakumar was accused of committing the offences in the LRT coach from Taman Bahagia to the Jalan Universiti station in Petaling Jaya, at 8.40pm, Dec 14.

He was charged under Section 354 of the Penal Code that carries a maximum jail sentence of 10 years, or a fine or whipping, or any two of the punishments upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Abu Arsalnaa Zainal Abidin offered a RM15,000 bail for both charges with two sureties of Malaysian citizens and to surrender his passport to the court, with the accused having to report to the nearest police station once a month.

However, the accused, represented by counsel Raj Preet Kaur, appealed for a lower bail and was prepared to accept any additional conditions.

Magistrate Mohd Azali Ibrahim allowed the accused a RM6,000 bail with two sureties of Malaysian citizens, and he was to surrender his passport to the court and to report to the nearest police station once a month.

The court fixed Jan 24 for mention.

- Bernama