JOHOR BARU: The Sessions Court here postponed the date to deliver its verdict in the case where a man severely injured his then-pregnant wife, leaving her in a coma after he failed to appear in court.
Judge Fatimah Zahari set the date to Dec 9 after the defence told the court that Rosmaini Abd Raof, 41, the victim's ex-husband could not be present as he was hospitalised.
Rosmaini is accused of assaulting Jahidah Nordin@Sylvester, 46, by striking her head, face, and hands and stomping on the back of her hand on June 17, 2021, when she was still his third wife, causing severe injuries leading to a coma.
Rosmaini's lawyer, Mohd Salleh Togimin, told the court that his client's wife informed them of the hospitalisation the previous evening.
"He was admitted to Pendang Hospital, Kedah, on Saturday (Nov 2) afternoon after experiencing shortness of breath and losing consciousness after playing football," said Mohd Salleh.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Siti Fatimah Mamu led the prosecution, while the defence team comprised lawyers Mohd Salleh, Kamal Hisham Ja'afar and Aina Kamilah Zalizan.
Also present at the proceedings were observing lawyers Syufri A. Samad and Muhammad Hazeem Mohd Norizan, along with the victim's siblings.
Rosmaini is accused of injuring Jahidah at an apartment in Kampung Aman, Larkin, at 6am on May 4, 2021.
He was charged under Section 325 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years and a fine, and read with Section 326A, which allows for double the maximum prison term based on the offence.
On Jan 17 this year, the Sessions Court here ordered Rosmaini to enter his defence against the charge.
The case has drawn attention as the victim, a civil servant, had to undergo a caesarean section while she was in a coma to deliver her baby boy on Nov 30, 2021.
Meanwhile, Jahidah's sister, Fauziah Nordin@Sylvester, 43, told reporters outside the court that her nephew, Eshan Nufail, now two years and 11 months old, holds a disabled person's card (OKU) due to developmental delays.
"He will turn three on Nov 30, but he still cannot walk. His development is slow and he weighs only 9.5 kg. Doctors have assessed his condition to be that of a one-year-old," she said, adding that Jahidah was still comatose.
On March 15 last year, the Seremban Lower Syariah Court granted the fasakh (annulment) application filed by Jahidah's family on Feb 1, 2023. – Bernama
