Teacher acquitted of charges for illegal possesion of UPSR papars

KUALA KANGSAR: A 29-year-old school teacher who was charged under the Official Secrets Act for illegal possession of UPSR examination papers was acquitted without her defence being called by the Sessions Court today.
Sessions Court judge Niran Tan Kran, in handing down the decision at the end of the prosecution's case, held that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case against M. Uma Mageswari.
He also ordered that her handphone and bail amount of RM5,000 be returned to her.
Uma Mageswari, of SJK (T), Keruh, Pengkalan Hulu, was charged with having in her possession UPSR science papers which were stored in her Samsung Ace smartphone between Sept 9 and 10, 2014.
She was alleged to have retained in her possession or control official secret or secret official code word, countersign or password which had been made or obtained in contravention of the OSA, when she has no right to retain it, or when it is contrary to her duty to retain it, or failed to comply with all lawful directions issued by lawful authority with regard to the return or disposal thereof.
Speaking to reporters later, Mageswari said she was eager to go back to school and continue teaching.
Her lawyer, M. Kulasegaran, asked the Education Ministry to reinstate his client as the post had not yet been filled.
She served in the school for more than three years before she was charged and later had her service suspended.
She also thanked her lawyers for their support and encouragement throughout the 20-day trial.
One of her lawyers, M. Kulasegaran, asked the Education Ministry to reinstate his client as the post has not yet been filled.
The prosecution was represented by DPP N.Jayanthi.