KOTA BARU: A university student in Johor was charged at the Sessions Court here yesterday for causing serious injury to her friend by splashing sulphuric acid on May 3.
The accused, R. Keertana Naidu, also faces another charge of possessing the corrosive substance with the intent to cause harm to Nurul Husna Rahim, 22, who is a university student in Kelantan.
The 22-year-old accused, however, pleaded not guilty to both charges, which were read before Judge Nik Habri Muhamad.
Keertana was charged with committing the two offences at the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) health campus in Kubang Kerian at 4.23pm on May 3.
Both charges come under Section 326 of the Penal Code, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years and a fine, or whipping, upon conviction.
She was also charged under Section 3 of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Dangerous Weapons Act 1958, which carries a penalty of up to three years imprisonment and whipping.
Deputy public prosecutor Ahmad Faiz Fitri Mohamad did not request any bail as the accused's offences were serious.
"There was a serious conflict between them, and the accused had come from Johor with a bottle of acid to attack the victim.
"The accused is considered a high threat if she is released on bail," said Ahmad Faiz.
The accused's lawyer, Azeezi Nordin, asked for bail, saying that Keertana was an excellent student and that she was about to sit for her examinations.
"They were close friends before, and my client was the victim's roommate while studying in matriculation college.
"Their families also know each other. Therefore, I request the court grant bail to the accused, as she needs to return to university to continue her studies," he added.
Azeezi also said the accused's father worked as an insurance agent with a monthly income of RM1,000.
The judge allowed the accused to be released on a RM20,000 bail with one surety for both charges on the condition that the accused must report to the nearest police station once a month and not be allowed to disturb the victim.
He also set June 9 for the case remention and document submission.