KUALA LUMPUR, August 13 — Federal police have confirmed that the death of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir, 13, will be subject to both an inquest and a criminal investigation into possible acts of bullying.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk M. Kumar said the decision follows findings by a special task force indicating non-compliance with investigation procedures, including the investigating officer’s failure to request a post-mortem despite suspicious circumstances.
The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has since ordered an inquest in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code to determine the cause and manner of death. Zara was found unconscious at 4am on July 16 after an alleged fall from the third floor of her school hostel at SMKA Tun Datu Mustapha Limauan in Papar, Sabah.
She succumbed to her injuries the next day at Queen Elizabeth I Hospital. Concerns arose when her mother reported seeing bruises on her daughter’s back during funeral preparations, prompting the AGC to order the exhumation of Zara’s remains for a post-mortem earlier this month.
Police have also opened investigation papers into 15 cases of false information spread online about the incident, including a fabricated claim that the victim was forced into a washing machine. Datuk M. Kumar stressed that strict action will be taken against the investigating officer and his superior for procedural breaches.
With the matter referred to the police integrity and standards compliance department. He assured that the inquest will be conducted independently and transparently at the Coroner’s Court, while the criminal probe will investigate any potential bullying or foul play.
“A fair and thorough investigation will be carried out to ensure justice for Zara Qairina,” he said.
