YouTuber’s husband granted discharge in assault case
IPOH: The sessions court here yesterday granted a discharge not amounting to an acquittal to a former estate worker, M. Sugu, who was accused of assaulting his wife, YouTube sensation S. Pavithra on July 21.
Judge Norashima Khalid made the decision after allowing an application by deputy public prosecutor Liyana Zawani Mohd Radzi, after Pavithra took an oath during the proceedings to affirm that she was withdrawing the charge against her husband voluntarily, without coercion or intimidation.
Earlier, lawyer Syahrul Nizam Mohd Rabi, who was representing Sugu, appealed to the court to discharge and acquit the accused. He said the main witness, who was also the complainant, had stated that she would not proceed with the case.
However, Liyana asked the court to grant the accused a discharge not amounting to an acquittal, and take into account the possibility that the prosecution may have a need or reason for the case to be reinstated.
Sugu, 29, was alleged to have assaulted Pavithra, 28, using a mobile phone and a sickle, which caused injuries to her lips, left cheek and right arm. The assault is said to have taken place at the parking lot at the Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital.
The charge, under Section 324 of the Penal Code, read together with Section 326A, carries a jail term of up to 10 years or a fine or whipping or with any two of such punishments.
Sugu was also charged under Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act for carrying an offensive weapon. – Bernama