S Kobinath, 34, a corporal, and Indian nationals Mathan, 21, Thanaletchumy, 57, Vasanthy Shanmukham, 44, and Muniswary, 25, were jointly charged with trafficking the seven victims, aged between 30 and 40, for sexual exploitation at a hotel on Jalan Ampang at 1am on Sept 30.

Bernama reported that the charge was framed under Section 12 of the Anti-Trafficking in Persons and Anti-Smuggling of Migrants Act 2007, read together with Section 34 of the Penal Code, which carries a minimum jail term of 15 years, and a possible fine, upon conviction.

Earlier, deputy public prosecutor Habibullah Shah offered bail of RM20,000 with one surety for Kobinath, while no bail was offered to the other four accused, as they are foreign nationals.

Defence lawyer P Muniswer, representing Kobinath, appealed for bail to be reduced to RM8,000, citing that his client is supporting his elderly parents.

Meanwhile, lawyers RM Muniandy and Erickka Farrise Amir, representing Thanaletchumy and Vasanthy respectively, applied for bail to be granted to their clients.

Muniswary, who was unrepresented, told the court that she was staying with friends in Malaysia and had no family in the country.

Judge Azura Alwi allowed bail of RM10,000 with one surety for Kobinath, and RM20,000 with two sureties each for Thanaletchumy and Vasanthy.

However, the other two accused, Mathan and Muniswary, were denied bail.

The court fixed Nov 17 for mention of the case.