SEPANG: Two friends involved in an attack against a Pelita Nasi Kandar restaurant worker in Cyberjaya today claimed trial to several charges of assault, uttering profanities as well as damaging the restaurant utensils.
Elanggovan Muniyandi and Vengateswaran Malaisamy, both 51, pleaded not guilty to all the charges before Magistrate Ayuni Izzaty Sulaiman.
The two were each slapped with one count of committing mischief by throwing plates belonging to Pelita Samudra Pertama (M) Sdn Bhd, uttering profanities with intention to cause disturbance to restaurant workers Md Jahirul Hoque and Sarishkumar Jayakumar, as well as intentionally injuring Jahirul.
They were accused of committing the offence at Nasi Kandar Pelita Glomac, Cyberjaya around 7.30pm last Thursday (March 16).
The charges were framed under Section 427 of the Penal Code, as well as Section 509 and Section 323 of the same Act.
Section 427 and Section 509 of the Penal Code carries a maximum five years imprisonment, or fine, or both while Section 323 of the same Act carries one year jail or RM2,000 fine or both upon conviction.
Elanggovan was also charged with another offence under Section 324 of the Penal Code for hurting Sarishkumar using an iron tong.
The offence, upon conviction, carries a maximum punishment of 10 years jail with a fine or caning, or any two.
Deputy public prosecutor Nur Sabrina Zubairi asked for bail to be set at RM24,000 for Elanggovan and RM17,000 bail for the other accused.
She also asked the court to instruct both the accused not to disturb the victims.
Lawyer Lingeswaran Andiappan, who represented both the accused, pleaded for a lighter bail.
Elanggovan, he said, is married with three children and only earns RM2,000 a month as a van driver.
He said Vengasteswaran, meanwhile, earns around RM800 to RM900 a month as a taxi driver, and that he is also caring for his wife and two children as well as his mother.
He submitted that the bail for the accused was only to assure their attendance in court and that the amount should not be punitive.
The court fixed bail at RM8,600 bail for Vengateswaran and RM11,600 for Elanggovan.
The magistrate also ordered for both the accused to not disturb the victims and prosecution witnesses, and instructed them to report themselves to the police once a month.
It was previously reported that two of the restaurant workers were injured after they were beaten up by several customers who were believed to be drunk.
Following the incident, one of the victims sustained bruising and injuries to his neck, head, left shoulder and ear as a result of being repeatedly hit by the main suspect.
Another worker who tried to stop the assault also suffered injuries.
The incident allegedly happened after one of the men was ticked off for using his fingers to take food on display at the counter.