The accused -- Mohd Anwar Iswah, Mohd Saiful Izzuan Ahmad Saidi and Muhammad Aizad Ariffin -- all 21, were charged separately with raping the 20-year-old woman, also deaf and mute, at an apartment in Selayang Heights, Selayang Baru, Gombak.

They claimed trial to committing the offence between 3pm and 4pm on Feb 14.

Anwar of Ampang was charged before judge M. Gunalan, while Saiful, of Cheras, and Aizad, also of Ampang, claimed trial before judge Azimah Omar.

The court interpreter allowed the three to read the charge, after which they wrote their non-guilty plea on a piece of paper.

If found guilty, the three face up to 30 years' jail and whipping.

Deputy public prosecutor Hana Hadinah Sheikh Mohd Ghazali proposed that bail not be offered as they were all classmates and the offence had elements of violence.

Counsel Mohd Faiz Fadzil, appearing for the three, said in mitigation in both courts that the alleged offence was committed in the victim's rented apartment, and that it was unlikely that it was non-consensual.

"The accused and the victim continued going to class together and mingled as usual. It was only five days after the incident that she lodged the police report," he said.

Gunalan and Azimah allowed bail at RM8,000 for the three accused and fixed March 13 for mention.