Late Karpal Singh's driver acquitted of reckless driving charge

The driver of the late Karpal Singh who was charged with reckless driving that resulted in the former DAP chairman and his personal assistant's deaths was today granted a discharge and acquittal.

Magistrate Mohamad Ibrahim Mohamad Ghulam in his ruling said the prosecution represented by deputy public prosecutor Fadhli Ab Wahab and Nurul Azriah Zaid had failed to establish a prima facie case against C.Selvam, 29.

Wearing a white shirt and black trousers, Selvam was seen smiling when the decision was read out to him in Tamil by the interpreter.

On July 9, 2014, Selvam claimed trial to driving in a reckless and dangerous manner as to cause Karpal and Michael Cornelius' deaths.

He was accused of committing the offence while driving a vehicle with registration number KS 9898, at 306.1 North-South Expressway near Gua Tempurung here, around 12.40am on April 17, 2014.

Selvam, an Indian national arrived at the court compound around 9.45am with his lawyer Baljit Singh and guarantor Datuk Huan Cheng Guan.

He later told reporters when met outside the court that he hoped to return to India soon to reunite with family members whom he had not met for more than two years.

"Lots of thanks to Datuk Huan who was helping me from the start until now. He's been helping me including all that I needed.

"Thanks to my lawyer also, Baljit Singh who was helping me till I am freed today. I'm very happy, I'm going to see my family also, thank you so much to everyone," he said visibly overcome.

Meanwhile, Huan said he would give part of the RM5,000 bail returned to him today, to Selvam as a gift and to cover his travel expenses back to India.

"I am relieved that this case is finally over. Let him go home to his country of origin. What is important is that I have fulfilled my responsibility as best as possible to take care of him all this while," he said.