“Sami” Accused of Cheating Over RM200,000.00 From Devotees – Acquitted
Cheang Sue Lyn
ALOR GAJAH:
Religion is an enriching and personal affair, but for one Priest (“Sami”), it was more personally enriching than most.
The atmosphere in the Session’s Court was unconventional.
Thinegeswaran A/L V. Krishnan was slapped with 3 counts of cheating Uma Sundari A/P Muthusamy, on 3 separate occasions. The sums involved exceeded RM200,000.00.
DPP Puan Mazuin Hashim prosecuted the case.
It was alleged that the Accused would tout his magical powers to conduct customized prayers for the victim personally, for the victim’s family and for the betterment of her son’s health. The Accused had asked for an enormous sum for these prayers. The 61-year-old victim took the stand and testified that nothing beneficial came from the prayers despite repeated payments being made.
The Accused was charged under Section 420 of the Penal Code and if convicted, he faced imprisonment of one to ten years, whipping and a fine, for each charge.
10 witnesses were called for the Prosecution’s case.
Tuan Hakim Ahmad Sazali bin Omar found that the Prosecution had succeeded in proving a prima facie case against the Accused and called for him to enter his defence. The Accused discharged his previous defence counsel and proceeded to engageDato’ Geethan Ram Vincent, together with Eu Kah Mun of Geethan Ram Advocates and Solicitors to take over the case for the Defence Case.
The Accused from the very beginning had denied ever taking or receiving the sums alleged. The fact that the Accused had on one occasion received RM11,000.00 from the victim for the Mandalaabishegam and PrithiyangaraHomam prayers, was not denied. However, the Accused had issued a receipt for this payment. There was no evidence of inducement or cheating involved.
Among the supporting document tendered by the Prosecution was the victim’s hand written notes which she claimed to had documented everytime she handed cash money to the Accused. But the Judge had rightly considered that the weight to be attached to these notes were very frail because, the dates were not in order, the amounts does not tele, the sources of money cannot be identified and there were many contradictions with her oral evidence.
At the close of the Defence case, after making a maximum evaluation of all the evidences before the Judge, his Lordship acquitted the Accused of all charges.