Azruddin Mohamed absent from court due to dengue; doctor summoned to testify

Extradition proceedings involving businessman Azruddin Mohamed were again stalled on Tuesday morning after he failed to appear in court, with his attorney informing the magistrate that he is currently suffering from dengue.

When the matter was called, defence counsel Rosdale Forde told the court that medical documents had been submitted, including two laboratory tests and a statement from the attending physician confirming the diagnosis.

“The laboratory test was done, which indicated that currently he has dengue. The doctor has indicated in the medical that he requires 12 days of rest,” Forde said.

The magistrate questioned whether Mohamed could participate in the proceedings via Zoom, but the attorney indicated that his condition made that impossible.

“Based on the information I received and the conversation I had with him, he’s not in such a position,” Forde explained, adding that Mohamed is experiencing “fever, chills, a massive headache,” and is “drowsy and incoherent” as a result of medication.

Given the circumstances, the magistrate ordered that the attending physician, Dr. Kawal Dalip, be summoned to appear before the court.

“In the circumstances, the court will be summoning the doctor…to indicate to the court exactly what his findings are,” the magistrate said, adjourning the matter to 13:00 hrs.

The court is expected to resume at that time to hear directly from the doctor regarding Mohamed’s medical state and his ability to participate in the extradition proceedings.

The matter had only resumed on Tuesday after it was previously adjourned last week amid a series of delays, including reported illness from their attorneys and also the Mohamed families observance of the Eid-ul-Fitr.

During the last hearing, the court had also addressed procedural issues relating to the commencement of the extradition process, including the handling and submission of documentation tied to the case. At that time, the proceedings were paused to allow for those matters to be properly ventilated before the court.