Woman to be charged with murder of maid today
A woman, who reported that her Indonesian maid had died following a fall down the staircase of her house here, is expected to be charged with murder at the magistrate’s court today.
She is also expected to face charges of causing hurt to another maid, a Cambodian, at the Sessions Court.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mior Faridalatrash Wahid yesterday said the woman would face a charge under Section 302 of the Penal Code, which carries the mandatory death penalty upon conviction for murder, and Section 326 of the Penal Code for causing hurt.
“We have obtained the goahead from the state prosecution director to charge the woman with both offences. She will be charged at the two courts tomorrow (today).”
Mior said the woman’s husband, 48, who was detained with her on Feb 26, after their maid was found dead, would be released on bond.
He said the Cambodian maid, 22, who was picked up five days later, would also be released on bond.
The Indonesian maid, Jubaedah, 38, was thought to have died from a fall. However, a postmortem revealed shocking findings.
The accused had reported that the maid had slipped while walking up the staircase and tumbled down.
She claimed the maid was taken to her room to rest, and was found unconscious at 11.50am.
The employers contacted an ambulance and paramedics, who confirmed the maid’s death upon their arrival.
During the post-mortem, pathologists found injuries consistent with abuse, and said the maid had died of a blunt force trauma to the chest.
Jubaedah had been working with her employers for two years and had valid identification papers.
A neighbour, who spoke on condition of anonymity, had told the New Straits Times that he often spotted the victim looking worried.
“Once, I saw the maid crying while scrubbing the porch and her employer came out to shout at her. It was common to hear shouts from the house that sounded like the employer was scolding the maid.”