Six men accused of kidnapping a businessman who was allegedly linked to a drug syndicate and demanding an RM8 million ransom were charged at the Sessions Court today, with all six pleading not guilty.
The accused are a 45-year-old car wash operator Ravichandran, 43-year-old Elanggovan, 43-year-old used oil trader Jeyaraj, 40-year-old John Patrick, 33-year-old Ziyauddin, and 36-year-old e-hailing driver Muhammad Afiq Safine.
According to the charge sheet, the six men, together with seven others who are still at large, allegedly kidnapped a 44-year-old man at a nasi kandar restaurant in Dataran Sunway, at around 5.15pm on July 16.
They were accused of committing the offence with the intention of demanding RM8 million in ransom from the victim’s family.
Facing up to 40 years jail
The six men were charged under Section 3(1) of the Kidnapping Act 1961, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code for acting with common intention.
If convicted, they face imprisonment of 30 to 40 years and whipping.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Ahmad Loqman Hakim Ahmad Khaire told the court that bail should not be granted as kidnapping offences are non-bailable and the case involved a high ransom amount.
Court rejects bail application
Some of the accused’s lawyers requested bail, arguing that their clients had family responsibilities, including supporting their wives and children.
However, Judge Syahliza rejected their bail applications and fixed Sept 11 for the next mention of the case.
Victim rescued, more arrests made
Police previously rescued the 44-year-old victim during a special operation in Selangor on July 19, while six suspects aged between 30 and 46 were arrested.
Two more suspects were later arrested on July 21, including a former police officer in his 30s who was dismissed from the force in 2023.
Police also revealed that initial investigations found the rescued victim was allegedly linked to a drug trafficking syndicate.
He is currently being investigated under the Dangerous Drugs (Special Preventive Measures) Act 1985.
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