THERE were no grip marks on the body of Muhammad Adib Mohd Kassim to indicate that he was pulled from his vehicle during the riots at Seafield Sri Maha Mariamman temple in November last year, an inquest into the fireman’s death heard today.

Hospital Kuala Lumpur (HKL) pathologist Dr Ahmad Hafizam Hasmi told the coroner’s court that there would have been tell-tale marks on Adib’s body, if the theory that he was pulled from his emergency medical and rescue services (EMRS) van was true.

“There were no grip marks when we did the post-mortem,” he said, when giving evidence at Shah Alam High Court.

“It is difficult to pull a person from a moving vehicle and (especially if) he was a physically fit person.”

Hafizam, who disagreed with the testimony of other forensic experts that Adib was pulled out of the van by people and beaten, was questioned again by Housing and Local Government Ministry counsel Syazlin Mansor today.

Syazlin asked Hafizam if he agreed with another witness, HKL Forensic Department chief Dr Mohd Shah Mahmood. The latter had earlier told the inquiry that marks found on Adib could possibly have been grip marks.

“Dr Shah said there were grip marks, but you said no?” Syazlin asked.

Shah carried out a clinical examination on Adib during the fourth day of the fireman’s hospitalisation, whereas Hafizam performed the post mortem.

“Based on the post mortem, there is no indication. The victim died 21 days after the incident,” Hafizam said.

“There could have been manipulation to the body.

“The theory that he was dragged was not suitable to the situation,” Hafizam said.

Syazlin then asked Hafizam to explain the difference of his opinion to that of Shah, to which Hafizam replied that the question should be directed to Shah.

Inquiry conducting officer Faten Hadni Khairuddin said that there was a possibility that a third pathologist might be called to give his views on the difference in opinion between Hafizam and Shah.

“For time being there has been no request made. However, it is up to the discretion of the court,” Faten said.

She also said that an independent mechanical engineer was expected to be called to give an explanation about the force of impact to Adib, if he was indeed hit by an EMRS vehicle.

The inquest, which began on February 11, has been focused on how Adib received his fatal injuries, succumbing 21 days after he was hospitalised.

The inquest resumes on May 27. – May 17, 2019.