The High Court awarded lawyer Siti Kasim and her client RM274,375 in damages after ruling a 2018 police raid on her home was unlawful.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court has awarded lawyer Siti Kasim and her client a total of RM274,375 in damages over an unlawful police raid.
Judicial Commissioner Arziah Mohamed Apandi granted the awards after allowing parts of a lawsuit filed by Siti Zabedah Kasim and Anis Nur Izzatty Ruslan against 30 defendants.
The court ruled the June 2018 raid on Siti Kasim’s residence was unlawful as officers failed to first contact the occupants.
It ordered the government to pay RM120,625 in general damages to Siti Kasim and RM53,750 to Anis.
The plaintiffs were also awarded joint exemplary damages of RM100,000 and costs of RM50,000.
“The first plaintiff, a lawyer, was arrested while performing her professional duties,” said JC Arziah in her judgment.
She stated the defendants’ conduct demonstrated reckless indifference to the plaintiff’s constitutional rights.
In their suit, the plaintiffs stated Anis had sought refuge at Siti Kasim’s home on June 21, 2018, due to family issues.
Nine plainclothes police officers forcibly entered the premises by breaking through the grille and main door, according to their claim.
The police then unlawfully removed Anis, who had hidden in a bathroom, and took her to Kajang police headquarters.
Siti Kasim went to the police headquarters on June 23, 2018, after learning of her client’s detention.
She claimed she was denied access to Anis and was herself detained that night on allegations of kidnapping and obstructing police.
Today’s proceedings were led by federal counsel Anis Najwa Nazari for the defendants, with lawyer A Surendra Ananth acting for the plaintiffs.
