Inspector Sheila acquitted of insult charge after lawyer drops case

 

Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar (known as Inspector Sheila) was charged in June last year with intentionally insulting lawyer P Taneswaran. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA: 

Police officer “Inspector Sheila” was discharged and acquitted today after a lawyer withdrew the case against her, in which she was accused of insulting him by describing him as “fat and bald as a rhinoceros”.

Sheila Sharon Steven Kumar was acquitted by the Selayang magistrates’ court when the alleged victim, lawyer P Taneswaran voluntarily withdrew the case against her, Sheila’s lawyer M Manoharan told FMT.

He said Taneswaran, the first witness called to testify, said he refused to give a statement regarding the case and did not want to prolong the case.

“He told the court that he wanted to withdraw the case voluntarily as he wanted to save the court’s time, and also because he had not lodged any police report against Sheila,” said Manoharan.

He said the prosecution had applied a discharge not amounting to an acquittal but the judge acquitted her after hearing the defendant’s submission. Manoharan said he was shocked that the prosecution framed a charge against Taneswaran although his client had lodged no public report against him.

Sheila was charged last year with intentionally insulting Taneswaran’s modesty by telling him “Look at yourself, fat and bald like a rhinoceros” at Taman Sri Gombak on June 15. The offence carries a penalty of up to five years’ jail or a fine, or both, on conviction.

Manoharan said two other cases are pending against Sheila at the magistrate’s court tomorrow.

She is accused of making inappropriate remarks to policeman Farhan Abdul Razak, also at Taman Sri Gombak on June 15, and of allegedly intimidating a woman, M Silverkoomarie, on the same day and location. - FMT