Tuesday July 1, 10:47 PM
Woman suing church saw many doctors but refused admittance to hospital
SINGAPORE: In the continuing trial of a woman who has accused the Novena Church and others of performing an exorcism on her, lawyers for the church said Amutha Valli Krishnan went 'doctor-shopping' to find one who supported her claims of assault and post-traumatic stress disorder following the August 2004 incident.That point was put across by defence lawyer Jimmy Yim to Dr Yap Eng Soo, who treated her at Tan Tock Seng Hospital. The lawyer said Amutha Valli saw at least four doctors in 48 hours at various hospitals and clinics. He then questioned why she had refused to be admitted to a hospital and undergo tests even when doctors had recommended them. Urine tests and X-rays on the neck had been recommended by some of the doctors. In his rebuttal, Amutha Valli's lawyer R S Bajwa asked if her mental state might have caused her to go to several doctors. Dr Yap said he could neither agree nor disagree, although in his experience, he has yet to see any patient who has seen so many doctors and yet refuse admittance or undergo health tests.
The defence will call Father Simon Tan who heads the Novena Church to take the witness stand on Wednesday. Former part-time tutor, Amutha Valli, is suing the Novena Church, two priests and six church-goers for allegedly performing the exorcism on her on 10 August 2004. She claimed she fainted in church while praying and was led to a room where she was restrained and assaulted. However, the defence's version is that her family members had asked the church priests to pray over her because she was possessed and suicidal. She claims the incident had traumatised her and she is now unable to live normally. - CNA/vm
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