Two gangsters walked free from court after judges felt sorry for their sick bodies. The Federal Court let S. Hemanathan and N. Nithiyan pay 50,000 ringgit each to avoid jail time. Both men face serious charges for running with the dangerous Geng TR crime group. Their lawyers convinced three judges that prison guards cannot handle their medical problems. The men must wear electronic ankle bracelets and stay locked inside their homes.
Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan led the court decision that split 2-1 in favor of the criminals. She worried that Malaysia's prison system fails to treat sick prisoners properly. The 31-year-old Hemanathan uses a wheelchair and suffers from diabetes and heart trouble. His 39-year-old partner Nithiyan battles dangerous heart disease that could kill him without proper care. Prison doctors have failed to give them consistent medical treatment.
Police arrested both men for being members of an organized crime gang last year. The Geng TR group operated from a seafood restaurant in Selangor for over four years. Courts moved their case from lower courts to the High Court because of the serious nature of their crimes. The men must report to police stations every two weeks and cannot travel without permission. Their criminal trial will begin in October next year.
Judge Tan Sri Nallini Pathmanathan led the court decision that split 2-1 in favor of the criminals. She worried that Malaysia's prison system fails to treat sick prisoners properly. The 31-year-old Hemanathan uses a wheelchair and suffers from diabetes and heart trouble. His 39-year-old partner Nithiyan battles dangerous heart disease that could kill him without proper care. Prison doctors have failed to give them consistent medical treatment.
Police arrested both men for being members of an organized crime gang last year. The Geng TR group operated from a seafood restaurant in Selangor for over four years. Courts moved their case from lower courts to the High Court because of the serious nature of their crimes. The men must report to police stations every two weeks and cannot travel without permission. Their criminal trial will begin in October next year.
