Kuala Lumpur: A Malaysian court on Wednesday refused to throw out attempt to murder charges against 31 ethnic Indians, for allegedly causing injury to a policeman during a rally last month, rejecting the defence's contention that the case was 'Racially and Politically motivated'.
If convicted, they face 20 years behind bars. All 31 have pleaded not guilty.
While 26 people were charged yesterday with attempt to murder, five more ethnic Indians were slapped with the same charge today in connection with the protest organised by Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) near the Sri Subramaniar Temple in Batu Caves on November 25 to protest against the alleged marginalization of the community in the multi-racial country.
Sessions Court judge Azimah Omar ruled that: "The charges have basis and are not defective."
Judge Azimah ordered that all the accused, aged between 18 and 45, be detained at the Shah Alam Police Headquarters here. Submissions for bail will be heard tomorrow, says Azimah.
Seventeen lawyers led by M Manoharan were representing the accused. However, three lawyers withdrew from the case without stating any reason.
The country's Attorney-General Abdul Gani Patail made a personal appearance at the Sessions Court here to lay charges which was questioned by the defence saying 'it would intimidate the judge'.
Terming the case as ' Vindictive and Malicious', defence lawyers said the charges amounted to a violation of the constitutional right to 'worship and assemble'.
Defence Counsel, K Ganesan,claimed that 500 policemen had fired tear gas and water cannons on the crowd after locking the temple gate and had beaten up worshipers.
Meanwhile, lawyer for MalasianTamils,Ravi Niko, told CNN-IBN, "The charges are completely unsubstantiated, the bail arguments are still going on, its been many hours. We will be persistently making applications in the court, even if we fail time and again.
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