IPOH, Sept. 17 -- A former maahad tahfiz school teacher was discharged and acquitted by the Sessions Court here on two charges of sexual assault involving a 13-year-old male student in 2020.

Judge Jean Sharmila Jesudason ordered the release of Muhammad Ikbal Izzuddin Abd Rahman, 29, after ruling that the prosecution had failed to establish a prima facie case at the close of its proceedings.

"The court has examined the facts of the case in proving the elements of the charges for both counts and has made a thorough assessment of the evidence presented by the prosecution.

"There are contradictions, inconsistencies, and gaps in the prosecution's case which were not clarified either through police investigation or witness testimonies. This ...