Shariff Abu Samah, now a corporate adviser at a government body, pleaded not guilty after the charges were read before magistrate Farah Azura Mohd Saad.

He was accused of using criminal force with the intent to outrage the modesty of a 28-year-old woman at Phileo Damansara and Jaya One on Jan 6.

The charges were framed under Section 354 of the Penal Code, which provides up to 10 years’ imprisonment, whipping, or both, upon conviction.

The court granted bail of RM6,000 with one surety for both charges and fixed Jan 13 for case mention.

Shariff was represented by lawyer Syed Azharul Asiq Syed Azhar, while deputy public prosecutors Raja Zaizul Faridah Raja Zaharudin and Aqharie Durranie appeared for the prosecution.

It is understood that the accused is a former judicial commissioner.