The High Court today called for the defence of an ‘ustaz’ (religious teacher) charged with culpable homicide not amounting to murder of a seven-year-old pupil last year.

Judicial commissioner Mohd Zaki Abdul Wahab ordered Hanif Mohd Ali, 28, who doubles up as a hostel warden, to make his defence tomorrow in the trial over the death of Saiful Syazani Saiful Sopfidee.

The court found that Hanif, who was charged with murder under Section 302 of the Penal Code, had a case to answer for causing the death of Saiful Syazani under Section 304 (a) of the Penal Code, which provides for a maximum jail term of 20 years and a fine.

Hanif was charged with committing the offence at the warden’s office of the boys’ hostel of Sekolah Rendah Agama Al-Furqan, Arau, in Perlis, between 6pm and midnight on March 31 last year.

Saiful Syazani went into a coma for three days and died at Sultanah Bahiyah Hospital in Alor Setar on April 3 last year after he was allegedly beaten during an investigation into a theft at the hostel.

The prosecution was represented by DPPs Najib Zakaria, Nadia Hanim Mohd Tajuddin and Azhar Mokthar while counsel Arif Azami Hussein, Azizul Shariman Mat Yusof, Mohamed Hanipa Maidin, Mohd Fikri Abdul Rahman and Zulmi Sabri appeared for Hanif.

- Bernama