KUALA LUMPUR: Lawyer Datuk Balwant Singh was certified by a doctor to be physically and mentally fit to own a gun about two months before he allegedly shot dead a man after a heated argument last year, the High Court heard yesterday.
Asst Supt Razimi Ahmad, a firearms licensing officer with the Selangor police headquarters, said the doctor’s certification was stated in a medical report submitted to support Balwant Singh’s application to renew his gun licence last year.
“The doctor had certified that he (the accused) is physically fit despite his diabetes and heart bypass. (His) vision and hearing are good. He is mentally alert and rational,” ASP Razimi said when referring to the report dated April 23 last year.
When questioned by deputy public prosecutor Zauyah Be Loth Khan, he said one Dr Mahinder Singh had prepared the report.
At this juncture, Justice S. Augustine Paul asked: “Is this the same doctor who gave certification during the bail application that Balwant Singh was very frail?”
The judge then went on to say: “I am wondering if I should review the bail application based on this doctor’s report because I was greatly influenced by the (earlier) doctor’s report then.”
But there was no response to Justice Paul’s query from the prosecution and the defence.
DPP Zauyah then said that she would call two more witnesses – the case’s investigating officer and a pathologist – to testify before the court adjourned for the day.
Balwant Singh faces the mandatory death sentence if convicted.
The hearing continues today.
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