PUTRAJAYA: The Court of Appeal here has acquitted celebrity preacher Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful, or better known as Da'i Syed, over a rape charge in an incident, seven years ago.
In the 2-1 majority decision, Justice Azman Abdullah, who chaired a three-judge panel, allowed Syed Shah Iqmal's final appeal.
Justice Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid concurred in the majority decision while Justice Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid held the dissenting judgment.
In the majority decision, Justice Azman said the court had considered the totality of the appeal records and found the High Court committed a grave error and the appellant raised a reasonable doubt in the case.
"The conviction against the appellant is not safe. The appeal is allowed. The 10-year prison time and three whippings ordered by the High Court are set aside," he said.
Syed Shah Iqmal cried tears of relief as the decision was delivered.
He had first been charged on Dec 10, 2020 in the Sessions Court with raping a 23-year-old woman at a condominium in I-City, Section 7 Shah Alam, at 1.35am on Sept 11, 2019.
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