11 plead not guilty to 'Geng Vinod' gang membership

Eleven individuals have pleaded not guilty to charges of being members of the organized crime group 'Geng Vinod' at the Sepang Sessions Court. The accused, aged between 21 and 34, appeared before Judge Husna Dzulkfliy and understood the charges read to them in Tamil, but no plea was recorded as the case falls under the High Court's jurisdiction.

The prosecution alleges that the group was active between April 2024 and June 2026 in Telok Panglima Garang, Kuala Langat, Selangor. If convicted under Section 130V(1) of the Penal Code, they face imprisonment ranging from five to 20 years. The court has set September 14 for the next hearing, and the accused have been taken to Tapah Prison in Perak.

This case stems from an operation, 'Op Rapido,' conducted by the Royal Malaysia Police on June 23 and 24, which led to the arrest of 11 suspected members of 'Geng Vinod.' According to the Director of Criminal Investigation Department, Datuk M. Kumar, the special operation successfully resolved 21 criminal cases and dismantled an armed gang involved in robberies since 2023. The group is believed to have engaged in violent crimes such as group robberies, attempted murder, rioting with weapons, causing injury with weapons, and vandalism. The investigation revealed the group was led by a 30-year-old local man and comprised 17 members, most of whom are repeat offenders.