Accused in IGMH nurse killing converts to Islam, court told
According to the letter, Vargas has also changed his name following his conversion and is now known as Yousuf.
The husband of Filipino nurse Mary Grace Oned Pineda, who is accused of killing her, has converted to Islam, the Criminal Court was informed on Thursday.
The accused, Marvin SY Vargas, is charged in connection with the death of Pineda, who was employed at the Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital (IGMH).
During a hearing on Thursday, Judge Muzammil Nasir said the court had received a letter from the Ministry of Islamic Affairs stating that Vargas had converted to Islam and informed the ministry of the change.
According to the letter, Vargas has also changed his name following his conversion and is now known as Yousuf.
During the hearing, the judge asked the prosecution whether Vargas’s conversion to Islam would have any bearing on sentencing if he is convicted. The prosecution requested time to consider the matter.
The hearing on Thursday had been scheduled for summary judgment. However, the court did not proceed with the summary hearing as the defence said it was not prepared. The judge said a further hearing will be held next month.
