According to Sinar Harian, R Suresh Khanna, 47, pleaded not guilty after the charge was read out before judge Surita Budin.

He was charged under Section 326 of the Penal Code with attacking a 40-year-old man with a parang, an offence punishable by up to 20 years’ jail, as well as a fine or whipping, upon conviction.

The offence was allegedly committed at about 8.10pm on April 14, at a telecommunications shop on the first floor of Seremban Gateway, Jalan Sungai Ujong.

Deputy public prosecutor Norazihah Asmuni did not suggest bail, citing the gravity of the alleged offence and saying that the victim’s family remained in fear following the incident.

The court, however, granted bail of RM15,000 with one surety and ordered the accused to refrain from disturbing the victim or witnesses. It also ordered him to report to the police monthly, and to surrender his passport if he possessed one.

Lawyer Thayalan Moorthy requested a lower bail amount, saying the accused supports three children with a monthly income of RM3,000 and suffers from health conditions, including hypertension.

It was previously reported that police had arrested three men suspected of being involved in the parang attack, which was captured on CCTV footage and circulated on social media.

Seremban police chief Hatta Che Din said the men, aged 35 to 47, were arrested in Port Dickson on April 15, less than 24 hours after the incident.