Penuntut Kolej Lepas dan Dibebaskan daripada Tuduhan Edar Dadah
College Student Discharged and Acquitted of Drug Trafficking Charge
Verified Media Coverage of This Case
This case and its outcome were reported by multiple established Malaysian media organisations.
All the articles below refer to the same criminal proceeding in which Sivahnanthan Ragava appeared as defence counsel, and the accused was discharged and acquitted by the High Court.
For transparency and public verification, the original reports can be accessed here:
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Bernama (Bahasa Malaysia) — Penuntut kolej bebas tuduhan edar dadah
https://www.bernama.com/bm/news.php?id=2363749 -
Harian Metro — Penuntut kolej lepas, bebas tuduhan edar dadah
https://www.hmetro.com.my/mutakhir/2024/11/1155437/penuntut-kolej-lepas-bebas-tuduhan-edar-dadah -
Malaysia Gazette — Mahkamah bebaskan pelajar jurusan aeronautik edar dadah
https://malaysiagazette.com/2024/11/15/mahkamah-bebaskan-pelajar-jurusan-aeronautik-edar-dadah/ -
MYKMU — Penuntut kolej lepas, bebas tuduhan edar dadah
https://mykmu.net/2024/11/16/penuntut-kolej-lepas-bebas-tuduhan-edar-dadah/ -
Bernama TV (Video Report) — College student freed of drug trafficking charge
https://www.bernama.com/tv/news.php?id=2363723 -
Buletin TV3 — Penuntut kolej lepas bebas tuduhan edar dadah
https://www.buletintv3.my/mahkamah/penuntut-kolej-lepas-bebas-tuduhan-edar-dadah/
Case Synopsis
(High Court, Shah Alam — 15 November 2024)
On 15 November 2024, the High Court in Shah Alam delivered a discharge and acquittal for a college student, R. Abishek Raj (22), who had been charged with trafficking dangerous drugs — specifically 412.3 grams of cannabis — at an apartment in Damansara Damai, Petaling.
The charge against Abishek Raj was framed under Section 39B(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, an offence which, if proven, carries the mandatory death penalty or life imprisonment and, in the alternative, a minimum of 12 lashes upon conviction.
At the close of the prosecution’s case, the Court, before Judge Dr Hazlina Hussain, found that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused. Important elements of the drug control and care offence were not proven, and there were contradictions in the testimony of key prosecution witnesses that undermined the case’s integrity.
The accused was represented by Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava of Chambers of Sivahnanthan Ragava, while the prosecution was conducted by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Firdaus Mohd Idris.
The High Court’s ruling resulted in the formal release and acquittal of Abishek Raj, signaling a successful defence strategy in a complex drug trafficking matter where the burden of proof was not met by the prosecution.
This acquittal highlights the Court’s strict requirement that all elements of a prima facie case must be established before a trial can proceed, and underscores the importance of robust defence representation at the criminal trial stage.
About Criminal Defence Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava
Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava is a Malaysian criminal defence lawyer in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor whose practice focuses heavily on drug-related offences, including drug trafficking charges under Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. Defence of drug cases forms a key “Area Of Practice” of the firm. To learn more about the firm’s background and criminal defence work, you may visit the “Chambers of Sivahnanthan Ragava Homepage.”
A number of cases handled by Sivahnanthan Ragava have been reported in mainstream Malaysian media. Readers who wish to see the firm’s media mentions reported in mainstream media in Malaysia in relation to Drug Trafficking Cases may read Drug Trafficking (Section 39B) Reported In Mainstream Media News. Information about legal representation for drug offences can also be found under “drug trafficking and drug defence legal services.”
If you are looking for guidance before appointing a lawyer, you may read “I Need a Criminal Lawyer – What You Must Know Before Appointing One,” which explains important considerations before choosing a criminal lawyer in Malaysia.
If someone has just been arrested in a drug investigation, you may also refer to “Arrested for a Drug Case in Malaysia? What to Do Immediately – Guide by Criminal Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava (Kuala Lumpur),” which explains the critical steps that should be taken immediately after arrest.
For information about bail in serious drug cases, you may read “I Have Been Charged with a Drug Trafficking Case (Section 39B) in Malaysia – Can I Get Bail?”, which explains the legal position regarding bail under Malaysian law.
Those who are in the process of choosing legal representation may also find this guide useful: “Facing a Drug Trafficking Case (Section 39B) in Malaysia: 5 Critical Steps to Take Before Choosing a Drug Trafficking Lawyer in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor.”
For urgent criminal cases, including drug trafficking and serious criminal charges, Lawyer Sivahnanthan Ragava, a criminal defence lawyer practising in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor, is available for contact 24 hours a day.
