A 64-year-old man with two wives was charged in the Sessions Court here today with raping his sister-in-law at a village in Kubang Golok, Bachok, in January this year.

The accused, however, pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him before Judge Zulkifli Abdullah.

According to the charge sheet, the accused is alleged to have raped his 18-year-old sister-in-law in a room at a house at 3pm on Jan 18.

He was charged under Section 376(3) of the Penal Code, which provides for a prison sentence of up to 30 years and whipping upon conviction.Deputy public prosecutor Siti Hajar Mazlan prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Ahmad Nurie Ab Rahman.

Earlier, Siti Hajar did not offer bail, stating that the victim is the accused's sister-in-law and that both the accused's and the victim's families live together.

Ahmad Nurie, however, requested bail on the grounds that his client, who works as a coconut milk trader, has to support his family and has two wives.

The court later granted bail of RM12,000 with one surety and set Aug 25 for mention.