CELEBRITY preacher Syed Shah Iqmal Syed Mohd Shaiful, better known as Da’i Syed, has been acquitted of a rape charge over an incident involving a 23-year-old woman in Shah Alam seven years ago.
The Court of Appeal, in a 2-1 majority decision, allowed his final appeal, with Justice Azman Abdullah, who chaired the three-member panel, delivering the majority judgment.
Justice Mohd Radzi Abdul Hamid concurred with the decision, while Justice Meor Hashimi Abdul Hamid dissented.
In delivering the majority judgment, Justice Azman said the court had considered the entirety of the appeal records and found that the High Court had committed a grave error, adding that the appellant had raised reasonable doubt in the case.
"The conviction against the appellant is not safe. The appeal is allowed. The 10-year prison sentence and three strokes of the cane imposed by the High Court are set aside," he said.
Syed Shah Iqmal broke down in tears of relief as the decision was delivered.
He was first charged on Dec 10, 2020, at the Sessions Court with raping a 23-year-old woman at a condominium in I-City, Section 7, Shah Alam, at 1.35am on Sept 11, 2019. - November 4, 2026
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