Hot oil, cigarette butts could have caused Bella’s injuries, court told

 

Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali is accused of neglecting and abusing Bella.

KUALA LUMPUR: A senior investigating officer told the sessions court that the injuries sustained by Bella, a teenage girl with Down Syndrome, were not due to an accident or her own doing but from suspected abuse.

Rohaini Baharom, from the sexual, women and children investigation division (D11) of the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters, said this was based on statements taken from two doctors from Kuala Lumpur Hospital (HKL) who treated Bella, namely Dr Nizam Malik Bali Mohamed and Dr Sheshadri Sridar.

“Paediatrician Nizam Malik in his statement said that when he examined Bella there were traces of new and old scars on the victim’s body and he believed that the injuries were not caused by an accident but suspected abuse,” she said.

The 20th prosecution witness said this during examination-in-chief by deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad at the trial of Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali who is accused of neglecting and abusing the 13-year-old girl.

Rohaini said Sheshadri had also found many new and old scars as well as new skin growing on the victim’s body.

“Sheshadri also stated that the injuries were caused by heated elements such as hot oil, water and heated objects or cigarette butts. Bella’s injuries were not due to an accident or from her own actions and the injuries occurred over a long period of time,” said the witness.

Rohaini also said that psychiatrist Dr Wan Asyikin Wan Azlan, in her statement, said that Bella was a child with Down Syndrome who did not have mental problems and could speak haltingly.

Replying to a question from Siti Bainun’s lawyer Mohammad Farhan Maaruf, the witness maintained that Bella’s injuries were not due to an accident but was from suspected abuse. She said this was based on the testimonies of the medical experts who treated Bella.

“Investigations found that Bella was mistreated or abused,” said the witness who also denied the lawyer’s claim that the investigation was biased.

Siti Bainun, 30, is facing two charges of neglecting and abusing Bella, causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries.

She is charged with committing the offence at a condominium in Wangsa Maju, here, between February and June 2021.

The trial before judge Izralizam Sanusi continues on Oct 26. - FMT