A police inspector told the Sessions Court he was “sick” and afflicted by black magic when asked to enter his plea over an attempted murder charge involving a fellow officer.
Muhammad Kamal Raj Shanmugam Abdullah, 40, is accused of attempting to murder 27-year-old traffic policeman Constable Roslan Salleh by ramming him with a car along Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra at around 10.47pm on April 10.
When asked by the court interpreter if he understood the charge, Kamal replied that he did, but added, “I’m sick, afflicted by black magic… I don’t remember.”
He stood in the dock with his head bowed throughout the proceedings.
No bail granted due to seriousness of offence
Deputy public prosecutor J. Banusha opposed bail, stressing that the offence is non-bailable and involved serious harm to a civil servant.
The victim is a traffic policeman who was rammed by the accused and suffered serious injuries. The gravity of the accused’s actions must not be taken lightly,” she said.
She also noted that the case has drawn public attention and urged the court to deny bail and fix a mention date.
Defence raises mental health concerns
Defence lawyer G. Nanda Goban informed the court that he had been instructed by the accused’s family not to apply for bail.
He also revealed that Kamal has a history of schizophrenia and had been undergoing treatment, but stopped attending follow-up sessions and discontinued his medication after his medical leave ended in February.
According to Nanda, the accused’s father had previously lodged a police report seeking help to bring his son to the hospital.
Police responded and attempted to take him to the hospital, but he fled,” he said.
Court orders psychiatric assessment
Nanda requested for Kamal to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to determine whether he is fit to stand trial and understand the proceedings.
The prosecution did not object to the request.
Sessions Court judge Mazuliana Abdul Rashid denied bail and ordered Kamal to be sent to Hospital Bahagia Ulu Kinta for a one-month psychiatric assessment.
The case has been fixed for mention on May 14.
