SEREMBAN: A 37-year-old storekeeper claimed trial at the Sessions Court here to a charge of raping his 14-year-old adopted niece.
The accused pleaded not guilty after the charge was read to him before judge Surita Budin.
The accused was charged with committing the offence around 12.30am at a house in Mantin near here between early and end of 2021.
He was charged under Section 376 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 20 years and whipping upon conviction.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nurul Balkis Zunaidi then told the court the prosecution was not offering the accused bail.
Counsel for the accused K. Ramalingam however appealed for bail, saying that he had to provide for his wife, two children and mother-in-law.
The accused, he said, earned only about RM1,800 a month.
"We are also applying for a minimum bail as there is no possibility of the accused contacting the alleged victim as she stays elsewhere.
"Also, the accused is not a flight risk and is prepared to adhere to any other conditions asked by the prosecution," he said.
Surita then allowed bail of RM15,000 with one surety.
She also ordered the accused to stay away from the victim and witnesses and to report to the nearest police station once a month,
The court fixed Nov 29 for remention.
