A MAGISTRATE’S court in Petaling Jaya today acquitted a psychiatrist of a charge of insulting the modesty of a patient by allegedly uttering obscene words at her four years ago.

Magistrate Nurshahira Abdul Salim ordered Gurdeep Singh Narain Singh, 45, to be freed after finding that the prosecution has failed to prove a prima facie case against him.

“After hearing the testimony of the prosecution witnesses and examining the exhibits and considering the documents filed by the prosecution and the defence, the court is satisfied that the prosecution has failed to prove a prima facie case against the accused,” the magistrate said.

“Accordingly, Dr Gurdeep Singh, you are acquitted and discharged without being called to enter your defence.”

Gurdeep, represented by lawyer Mohd Haaziq Pillay, looked calm as the court gave its verdict.

On January 24, 2020, Gurdeep pleaded not guilty to the charge, which was allegedly committed at a private hospital in Kota Damansara at 4.30pm on February 12, 2019.

He was charged under section 509 of the penal code, which carries a maximum jail term of five years or a fine, or both, if convicted.

Nine prosecution witnesses, including the patient, testified at the trial, which started in the middle of 2020.

The prosecution was conducted by deputy public prosecutor Farhanah Fuad Mohamad Faiz. Also present at today’s proceedings was lawyer Francis Pereira, who held a watching brief for the patient. – Bernama, January 11, 2023.