12 suspects charged with being gang members

KAJANG: About 30 people, believed to be family members of 12 suspects detained under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma), gathered in front of the Sessions Court here yesterday.

Some of them had waited since 8am, hoping to talk to their loved ones when they were taken to court.

But all the family members could do was stare and shout from afar as the court compound was guarded by heavily-armed members of the Special Task Force on Organised Crime.

The 12 suspects — D. Yasotharan, 37; S. Manimaran, 44; C. Murugan, 41; L. Lengas Seperan, 48; D. Sivanantha, 40; S.T. Anthony Balan, 40; S. Maran, 35; M. Sathia Tamil Siva, 24; P. Sures, 45; P. Murugan, 28; B. Ravindran, 25; and D.R. Yasothanaraj, 37 — were charged under Section 130 of the Penal Code with being menbers of Gang 360 Devan.

If convicted under this section, the accused face up to 20 years in jail.

No plea was recorded.

Judge Noridah Adam did not offer bail and fixed June 7 for mention.

She ordered the case to be transferred to the High Court.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Mustaffa P. Kunyalam prosecuted while the accused were represented by counsel Gerard Lazarus and Diar Isda Yazmin Ismail.

In March, the alleged gang leader, former MIC Hulu Langat Division Youth chief Datuk M. Kalai Arasu, and 28 others were charged with a similar offence.

It was reported that the gang, a splinter of Gang 36, is notorious for its violence.