PETALING JAYA: The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) has issued a directive to police to exhume the body of Form One student Zara Qairina Mahathir for post-mortem.

In a statement issued yesterday evening, the AGC said the decision was made after it had reviewed the full preliminary investigation report submitted by the police regarding the death of the girl.

“This department is of the opinion that there is a need for further investigation to be undertaken by the police to ensure that all aspects of the investigation can be carried out thoroughly.

“Accordingly, the full preliminary investigation report has been returned to the police along with several instructions, including the need to exhume Zara Qairina’s body to enable post- mortem procedures to be carried out on the remains.

“This step is intended to ensure that the police obtain additional information and evidence needed to complete the investigation into Zara Qairina’s death,” it said.

Zara Qairina, 13, was confirmed dead at the Queen Elizabeth I Hospital in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah on July 17.

The student was taken to the hospital after being found unconscious in a drain near the dormitory of a religious school in Papar at 4am on July 16.

The police had urged all parties to stop uploading and sharing unverified information related to the death.

Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Mohd Khalid Ismail had said police detected the spread of a child’s pictures linked to the Zara Qairina case.