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March 24, 2026
March 24, 2026
A tense exchange unfolded during the afternoon session of the extradition proceedings involving Azruddin Mohamed, as the court heard testimony from the doctor who diagnosed him with dengue fever.
Dr Kawal Dalip confirmed that he issued the medical certificate and that Mohamed was diagnosed with dengue, requiring up to 12 days of rest. He explained that while recovery could be assessed after about 10 days, Mohamed would not be fit to participate in court proceedings before that period, particularly given symptoms such as fever, headaches, and drowsiness caused by medication.
However, prosecutor Glen Hanoman raised several concerns about the medical report, pointing to what he described as “red flags”. He questioned the timing of the laboratory results, noting an apparent discrepancy in which the sample was reportedly collected at 11:50 a.m. but diagnosed at 11:30 a.m. Dr Kawal Dalip acknowledged that the blood work was conducted at his own laboratory.
Hanoman also highlighted that the report referenced sickle cell anaemia, a condition he said Mohamed does not have, suggesting the possibility that elements of another patient’s report may have been mistakenly included.
He further argued that standard medical guidance for dengue typically recommends four to five days of rest, questioning the necessity of a 12-day period and whether Mohamed could still appear via Zoom. The doctor maintained that the prescribed medication would likely leave the patient too drowsy to meaningfully participate.
The prosecutor also attempted to question the doctor’s medical specialty, noting that he is a gynaecologist, but this line of questioning drew an objection from Senior Counsel Roysdale Forde, who argued that the approach was improper.
Forde strongly defended the doctor, stating, “I have never seen a doctor being questioned in this fashion by a prosecutor,” and emphasised that the court had already taken a prudent step by summoning the doctor to verify the medical certificate. He added that Dr Kawal Dalip is a distinguished member of the medical profession and insisted that the matter should not be turned into what he described as a “maternity test”.
Hanoman, however, maintained that there were sufficient inconsistencies to warrant further scrutiny and suggested that Mohamed undergo independent testing at another laboratory, referencing a previous case involving disputed medical evidence.
After hearing both sides, Magistrate Judy Latchman accepted the medical explanation presented and adjourned the matter in light of Mohamed’s condition.
The case has been rescheduled to April 7 at 9:00 a.m. for continuation of the extradition proceedings.
