Inspector acquitted of receiving RM6,200 to settle smuggling cases

 

After two years of full trial for allegedly receiving RM6,200 to settle separate criminal cases involving ketum and cigarette smuggling, a relieved police inspector walked free today.

The Ayer Keroh Sessions Court today granted full acquittal to Kalvinderjit Singh, 36, following its finding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie (answerable) case over the two charges against the police officer, who is attached to the narcotics criminal investigation division of Jasin district police headquarters.

The police inspector’s counsel Baljit Singh confirmed the verdict delivered by trial judge Elesabet Paya Wan at the end of the prosecution’s case, which saw 21 witnesses testify against the accused since he was first charged in April 2021.

“The sessions court this morning acquitted inspector Kalvinderjit Singh from both charges,” the lawyer told Malaysiakini in relation to the two charges framed under Section 165 of the Penal Code.

Baljit added that his client was “happy”, and that the police inspector’s “suffering was painful”.

Section 165 of the Penal Code states that whoever, being a public servant, accepts or obtains, or agrees to accept or attempts to obtain, for himself or for any other person, any valuable thing, without consideration, from a person concerned in any proceeding or business transacted by such public servant, commits an offence which carries a jail term of up to two years or a fine or both.

14 days to file appeal

The lawyer added that the prosecution has not given indication so far on whether they would appeal to the High Court.

Under the law, the prosecutors have 14 days from the date of the decision to file an appeal.

Previously on April 20, 2021, the media reported Kalvinderjit pleading not guilty to the two criminal charges.

According to the first charge, he was accused of receiving RM5,000 from an individual to settle a case linked to cigarette smuggling, which allegedly took place at Jasin police headquarters from 11.30pm to 2am between March 8 and 9, 2019.

For the second charge, Kalvinderjit was accused of receiving RM1,200 from the same individual to help settle a ketum case at the same time and date.

The accused was facing a maximum two-year imprisonment, fine, or both if convicted. - Mkini