Singapore
Singapore’s Court of Appeal on Tuesday said lawyers of convicted Indian-origin Malaysian drug trafficker Nagaenthran K Dharmalingam have abused the country’s judicial process by submitting reports at the last minute and “drip-feeding” applications bit by bit, according to a media report.
The comments came at an appeal hearing as Dharmalingam’s lawyer Violet Netto argued her client should be spared the death sentence on grounds of mental disability, The Straits Times reported.
She was questioned as to why the defence had blocked the court from looking at the inmate’s medical and psychiatric records in assessing his mental capacity.
Instead, Netto wanted the court to rely on the opinions of three overseas experts – none of whom have examined Dharmalingam but based their reports on the observations given by his brother and his former legal representative, M Ravi.
Dharmalingam, 33, is appealing against a High Court decision denying him permission to start judicial review proceedings to challenge his death sentence.
He has also asked the apex court to exercise its power to have him assessed by psychiatrists.
Dharmalingam was convicted of trafficking 42.72g of heroin in 2010 and given the death penalty which was then mandatory. His appeals against conviction and sentence were dismissed in 2011.
Last year, he made an eleventh-hour attempt to challenge his impending execution on November 10, on the basis that he was suffering from mental disabilities. After his bid was dismissed by the High Court, he appealed.
The appeal hearing was adjourned after he tested positive for COVID-19. On Tuesday, the appeal was argued by Netto, with the assistance of Ravi.
