MyWatch chairperson acquitted on extortion charge

The Magistrate’s Court in Kuala Lumpur today acquitted Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan of an extortion charge involving the son of a former Sabah Police Commissioner, without his defence being called.

Magistrate Maizatul Munirah Abdul Rahman ruled that the prosecution had failed to prove a prima facie case against Sanjeevan, 34, whose RM2,500 bail was also ordered to be returned.

Sanjeevan, who was defended by counsel S Preakas, was accused of putting Mohamad Azhan Hamza, 34, in fear of injury in order to commit extortion, at Restoran Marakesh on Jalan Raja Uda, Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur, at 9pm on May 22, 2014.

The charge under Section 385 of the Penal Code carries a maximum of seven years’ jail or a fine or whipping, or any two of the punishments upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Noorelynna Hanim Abd Halim called seven witnesses during the trial.

- Bernama