Investigating officer did not follow procedures in Zara Qairina case: CID chief
Published on: Wed, Aug 13, 2025
By: Pan Eu Joe, FMT Text Size: KUALA LUMPUR: Police revealed today that the officer in charge of investigating the death of 13-year-old Zara Qairina Mahathir failed to follow proper procedure by not requesting a post-mortem. Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director M Kumar ( pic ) said Zara's death occurred under suspicious circumstances, in which a post-mortem was warranted. 'Although Zara's mother had signed a statutory declaration declining a post-mortem, the investigating officer should have applied for one,' Kumar told a press conference at Bukit Aman police headquarters. He said the investigating officer and his superior would be referred to Bukit Aman's Integrity and Standard Compliance Department for not following procedure by ordering a post-mortem. A task force from the Bukit Aman CID had been sent to Sabah to take over the investigation. Earlier today, the Attorney-General's Chambers ordered an inquest into Zara's death. Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after allegedly falling from the third floor of her school hostel in Papar, Sabah. She died at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital the following day. Her mother, Noraidah Lamat, lodged a police report on Aug 3, saying she noticed bruises on her daughter's back when preparing the body for burial. Kumar said the ongoing investigation by the task force in Sabah had uncovered elements suggesting that Zara may have been a victim of bullying before her death. He said police have recorded statements from 82 individuals. He also revealed that 124 students had undergone counselling following the incident. - FMT * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available.
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