A Saranya, 28, and R Saroja, 63, pleaded not guilty to the charge framed under the Child Act 2001.

If convicted, they face a fine not exceeding RM20,000, imprisonment of up to 10 years, or both.

The offence was allegedly committed at a house along Jalan Pudu Impian in Cheras between February and April this year.

Deputy public prosecutor Ravindejit Kaur proposed bail of RM30,000, but defence counsel Arifin Abdul Wahab submitted that his clients could not afford the amount.

“Saranya is due to give birth this month while Saroja has high blood pressure.

“The proposed amount is beyond their means,” he said, adding that Saranya is pregnant with her sixth child.

The counsel also said that Saranya’s husband, who earns RM1,800 a month as a lorry assistant, would stand as surety for both accused.

Judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid set bail at RM15,000 each and ordered them to report to the nearest police station once a month.

They were also ordered not to disturb the victim’s family or prosecution witnesses.

The court fixed May 18 for case management and the submission of documents.