All five teenagers charged in connection with the bullying of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir pleaded not guilty at the Court for Children here today.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Nor Azizah Mohamad confirmed the charges were filed under Section 507C(1) of the Penal Code, read together with Section 35 of the same Code, for using abusive language against the victim. If convicted, the teenagers face a punishment of up to one year in prison, a fine, or both.
During the proceedings, defense counsel Ram Singh successfully applied for a gag order, restricting the publication of details about the case in line with Section 15 of the Children’s Act 2001.
Sessions Court Judge Elsie Primus presided over the case and set the next mention date for September 25. The court granted bail of RM5,000 for each defendant, with an initial deposit of RM1,000 and one surety required.
Zara was discovered unconscious in a drain near her school dormitory in Papar on July 16 and passed away the following day at Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Her death has attracted significant public attention and remains a closely watched case.
