Bella Unwell Unable To Be In Court For Identification

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Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali was charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teenage girl. (Bernama pic)KUALA LUMPUR: Identification by a prosecution witness of an alleged abused victim — a teenage girl with Down syndrome known as Bella — was postponed today as she was unwell and could not attend court proceedings.
Fifth prosecution witness Yasmin Nahar Mahmood was scheduled to be called to identify the girl today.
Deputy public prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad informed the court about this matter when the proceedings broke for recess today.
She said the matter would be rescheduled for the girl to appear in court on a date to be fixed later.
“Bella and a few other inmates at Rumah Bonda are supposed to be in court today, but because she (Bella) is not well, their identification has to be postponed,” she said.
However, she said, the proceeding before sessions court judge Izralizam Sanusi would continue with re-examination by the prosecution of Yasmin Nahar, 19, also an occupant at Rumah Bonda.
Bella’s case went viral on social media last year when a woman claimed that the teenager was scalded with hot water and was tied while under the care of Rumah Bonda, a welfare home.
Following that, Rumah Bonda founder Siti Bainun Ahd Razali was charged with two counts of neglecting and abusing the teenage girl, causing the victim to suffer physical and emotional injuries.
The offences were allegedly committed at a condominium in Wangsa Maju here between February and June 2021, under Section 31(1)(a) of the Child Act 2001, which carries a jail sentence of up to 20 years or a fine of RM50,000, or both, upon conviction. - FMT

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