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PUTRAJAYA: An 18-year-old college student, who was charged with the murder of her newborn baby two months ago, has been released on RM30,000 bail.
This follows today’s Court of Appeal decision to allow M. Santhiea’s application after she ruled in Penang Magistrates Court and High Court.
However, a three-member court chaired by Kamaludin Md Said only allowed bail until the case was transferred to the High Court.
In addition to the bail amount, the court also ordered Santhiea to report to the nearest police station once a week, prohibited him from applying for a passport and not interfere with witnesses.
Others on the bench were P Ravinthran and Mohd Sofian Abd Razak.
Attorney RSN Rayer, who represented Santhiea, said a family member posted the amount to secure her release.
Deputy Prosecutor Dhiya Syazwani Izyan Mohd Akhir previously raised a preliminary objection, saying that only the High Court had jurisdiction to grant bail if the matter was before that court.
Rayer said the Court of Appeal had the power since a new application was filed after the Magistrates Court and the High Court refused to offer bail.
On August 21, High Court Judge Amirudin Abd Rahman dismissed Santhiea’s request but did not give reasons.
On July 16, Santhiea was charged with causing the death of her newborn at Sri Ivory Apartment, Bandar Baru, Ayer Itam, here at 8.25am on July 10.
The charge, which carries the death penalty upon conviction, was read to her in the maternity ward of Penang Hospital, where she was admitted for treatment.
The case will be brought before a magistrate on October 15.
Rayer told the FMT that he would have to file another request for bail once the magistrate refers the matter to the Superior Court, which has jurisdiction to try capital cases.
