Judicial Commissioner Mohd Firuz Jaffril made the decision after finding that the prosecution had proven a prima facie case against the accused, Low Chiew Mun, 52.

The accused allegedly confined M Gunaseelan, 13, for a RM20,000 ransom at the top floor premises at No 30, Jalan MJ 47, Taman Merdeka Jaya, Batu Berendam here between 6.30pm on April 2014 to 6pm the next day.

He was charged under Section 3 of the Kidnapping Act 1961 which provides for the death penalty or life imprisonment and whipping, if convicted.

Low was also accused of murdering Gunaseelan at the same place, time and date and was charged under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death sentence upon conviction.

Deputy public prosecutor Effizah Ernie Idris appeared for the prosecution while the accused was represented by counsel Mohd Hilmy Samsudin.

The court fixed March 30 for the accused to make his defence.