BUTTERWORTH: A businessman was charged in two separate courts here today with five counts of illegal deposit taking and cheating amounting to RM1.295 million.
R.G. Chandrasegaran Ganeson, 57, claimed trial to all the five charges which were read to him by the court interpreters before Sessions Court Judge Noor Aini Yusof and Magistrate Siti Zulaikha Nordin @ Ghani.
In the Sessions Court, Chandrasegaran was charged with one count of receiving deposits totalling RM820,000 from one M. Sevanasparan, 53, without a valid license under Section 10 of the Financial Services Act 2013.
He allegedly committed the offence at a house at Taman Teratai Indah here between 10.33am and 10.44am on Dec 28, 2017.
The charge was framed under Section 137(1) of the Financial Services Act 2013, punishable under Section 137(2) of the same Act.
If convicted, the accused may face a fine of not more than RM50 million or imprisonment for up to 10 years, or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Qatrin Nada Harun prosecuted while the accused was represented by counsel R. Arvend.
Qatrin urged the court to set bail at RM100,000 with one surety and additional conditions.
Arvend pleaded for a minimal bail saying his client had been very cooperative throughout investigations, although the case was dated seven years back.
"Four years after the report was lodged, my client was contacted by the police and willingly cooperated in the investigation.
"Also, my client has a good image in the public eye and is of no flight risk, having a permanent address in Batu Maung, Penang," he told the court.
Arvend also told the court that his client was the sole breadwinner in the family, with his four children, aged six, 11, 25 and 27, all still under his care.
"My client is suffering from asthma and needs an inhaler, he has chronic diabetes and spinal injury.
"He earns about RM5,000 a month, and despite his condition, cares for his whole family," he added.
Arvend said bail was mainly to secure his client's attendance in court and should not be punitive in nature.
Noor Aini then set bail at RM35,000 with one surety with three conditions.
She said Chandrasegaran must report himself to the police station nearest to him on the 15th of every month until the end of his case and surrender his international passport to the court.
"Also, the accused should not in anyway disturb the prosecution witnesses," she added.
Meanwhile, at the magistrate's court, Chandrasegaran claimed trial to four counts of cheating totalling RM475,000.
He is alleged to have dishonestly induced Sevanasparan into handing over RM180,000, RM40,000, RM20,000 and RM235,000 to him for a non-existent investment, which otherwise Sevanasparan would not have done it he had not been deceived.
The offences were allegedly committed between 11.30am on Jan 28, 2017 and 10.30am on March 5, 2018.
The offences were alleged committed in front of an office at Jalan Raja Uda here, Maybank Bagan branch, Maybank Jalan Ong Yi How branch and RHB Kampung Gajah branch, all in Butterworth.
All four charges were framed under Section 420 of the Penal Code, which provides for a one year minimum and 10 years' maximum imprisonment or a fine or both, upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurameera Shahrul Azrin prosecuted while Arvend represented Chandrasegaran.
Nurameera urged the court to set bail at RM10,000 for each of the offences with one surety.
Following Arvend's mitigation plea, Siti Zulaikha then set bail at RM8,000 for each offence with one surety.
Both Noor Aini and Siti Zulaikha fixed April 26 for mention pending submission of documents.
