Duo charged with kidnapping restaurateur

KLUANG: Two unemployed men face the death sentence or life imprisonment after they were charged in the Magistrate’s Court here yesterday, with kidnapping a restaurant operator last month.

B. Haresh, 26, and M.J. Richardass, 28, together with K. Prem Rao, 26, who is still at large, allegedly committed the offence about 6am on June 29 while the 32-year-old victim was on his way home in Simpang Renggam, near here.

The kidnapping was committed to demand for ransom from the victim’s family.

Haresh and Richardass were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code.

If found guilty, they can be sentenced to death or given a life term, or with whipping.

The two nodded their heads to indicate they understood the charge read out to them before magistrate Muhammad Hidayat Wahab, but they made no plea to the charge.

They were also not allowed bail.

The case will be mentioned in court on Aug 7 for the submission of related reports, including the chemistry report.

Deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Afiq Zuber appeared for the prosecution while the two accused were not represented by counsel.

Meanwhile, Kluang district police chief, ACP Mohamad Laham said the suspect who was still at large had been living across the restaurant and knew about the wealth of the victim’s family.

He said the suspect had allegedly asked for a ransom of RM150,000 from the victim’s family but was only given RM130,000.

“While being taken in a car by the kidnappers, the victim’s hands were tied, and he was beaten up and his hands and legs slashed with a knife.

“The victim was released on June 29 about 1.30pm after his abductors received the ransom money.”

Mohamad said two of the suspects were arrested in Johor Bahru on July 1 around midnight.

Police recovered RM69,750 of the ransom money paid following the arrest. Bernama