PUTRAJAYA, July 30 (Bernama) -- The Federal Court here today upheld the conviction and death sentence of an Indian national for trafficking in 20.6kg of ketamine, about four years ago.
A five-member panel chaired by Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Tan Sri Richard Malanjum ruled it was safe to sustain Athiseshan Singaram's conviction.
The panel, also comprising Federal Court judges Datuk Hashim Yusoff, Datuk Ahmad Maarop, Datuk Zainun Ali and Datuk Jeffrey Tan Kok Wha, unanimously dismissed Athiseshan's appeal against his conviction and death sentence.
Malanjum said, despite some uncertainties in the evidence on whether the bag containing the drug was locked, the overall evidence adduced had indicated that Athiseshan had knowledge of the drug.
He said the defence had failed to create a reasonable doubt in the prosecution's case.
