IPOH: The High Court here has been told that the case involving the death of 17-year-old Muhammad Zaharif Affendi, allegedly run over by a senior police officer, was initially investigated under traffic offence.
Ipoh Head of Criminal Investigation Department, DSP Mohd Zulkefli Mohd Mukhtar, 51, testified that the case was initially investigated under traffic offences before being taken over by his department on Dec 16 last year.
"The investigation paper was initially opened on Dec 15 last year by the Ipoh Traffic Investigating Officer (IO) Inspector Jong Pit Chao.
"After an initial review, the investigation paper was taken over by the Ipoh headquarters Criminal Investigation Department and handled by ASP Chua Sze Chuan with instructions from the Ipoh Police Chief, " he testified before Justice Datuk Bhupindar Singh Gurcharan Singh Preet on Friday (Dec 6).
He added that on Dec 18, 2023, after the charging order and further investigation instructions received from the Deputy Public Prosecutor, the investigation paper was then taken over by ASP S. Dasarathan as instructed by the Deputy Head of the Criminal Investigation Department (Investigation and Legal) and assisted by the two initial IO, Insp Jong and ASP Chua.
"In addition, I have also created a taskforce team to ensure the investigation is completed and updated. I also took a role in assisting the IO," he added.
He added that on Dec 19, 2023, he assisted ASP Dasarathan in confiscating the accused's clothes through the Malaysian Prisons Department at Taiping Prison. The confiscation involved a pair of trousers and a shirt.
" I can identify the handover document regarding the confiscation.
"The confiscation was made because the clothes were used and worn by
the accused during the incident," he said.
When questioned by DPP Afzainizam Abdul Aziz if he could identify what the accused was wearing when the incident took place, he said that the accused (not victim) was wearing a white t-shirt and black pants.
When asked if he had done any marking on the t-shirt, he replied no.
When cross-examined by defence team lawyer former Perak police Chief Datuk Mior Faridalathrash Wahid, he asked the witness if the clothing confiscated and the one submitted in court were the same.
"Based on the brand, these are the clothing involved," he said.
Deputy Supt Mohd Nazri Abdul Razak is charged with murdering Zaharif at the intersection of Jalan Taman Jati/Jalan Pekeliling Meru Indah, near SMK Jati, between 12.05pm and 12.40pm on Dec 15 last year.
The prosecution team was led by Deputy Public Prosecutor Afzainizam, Nasrul Hadi Abdul Ghani, V. Suloshani and Low Qin Hui.
The defense team is led by defense lawyer M. Athimulan, Mior Faridalathrash and Aiman Hakim Kamaruzzaman.
The trial continues on Monday (Dec 9).
