Subscribe in a reader | Subscribe by Email It was a common story – death in police lockup which, in this case, was attributed to suspected asthma attack. The story in Malaysiakini as follows:
A 23-year-old youth detained in connection with several car theft cases died this morning at the Taipan police station in USJ.
Sources identified the deceased as Kugan Ananthan from Puchong.
The youth was detained on Jan 15 in Kajang in relation to several car theft cases in the Subang Jaya district.
Kugan was being held at the Puchong police station under a two-week remand to facilitate investigations.
It is learnt that the suspect, who is said to be suffering from asthma, was taken to the Taipan police station this morning for questioning in relation to a car theft case there.
According to sources, Kugan had requested for water and upon drinking, he had vomited and collapsed at about 11am.
Following this, a doctor from a nearby clinic was brought to the police station and he confirmed that the suspect had died.
The body was later sent to the Serdang Hospital for post-mortem.
It is believed that the police are awaiting the post-mortem report to determine if any foul play was involved in the case.
Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar confirmed the death to Bernama.
“During interrogation, the man asked for a glass of water and upon drinking the water, he collapsed and lost consciousness. A doctor from a clinic nearby who was summoned to examine the man later confirmed that he had died,” he said.
He also said that the deceased was detained on suspicion of being involved in robbing and stealing luxury cars such as the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord in Sungai Chua, Kajang.
Khalid said that a thorough probe would be done on the matter and asked people not to speculate on the cause of death.
“We don’t want any party to speculate as cases of custodial deaths were a sensitive issue. The man had also given his cooperation throughout the interrogation.
“No matter what the case may be, I give my assurance that a thorough investigation will be carried out and we are waiting for the outcome of the post-mortem,” he said.
It was first revealed that the suspect’s body has been sent to University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for a post-mortem.
Hearing this, several politicians and civil activists had started gathering by 9pm at UMMC, only to be re-directed to the Serdang Hospital.
“We are told that the body has been taken to the Serdang Hospital,” a MIC Youth leader to Malaysiakini.
This was later confirmed by S Jayathas from Hindraf, who also went to Serdang with Kapar MP S Manikavasagam.
I received the following photos via email:
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- Injuries at the back of the neck
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- Family members
Now, the above injuries does not like caused by asthma attack. The injuries could have been inflicted before or during arrest. Also possible to be signs of torture. Marks on wrists can be due to handcuffs , or not.
What do you think? YB Mike claims its murder and is expected to lodge police report.
Earlier last week it was car park attendant B.Prabakar who claimed 11 policemen tortured him. 7 of the 9 policemen identified by him have been arrested and pending court case, after a task force was formed to investigate his allegations. Another person who was arrested along Prabakar, Solomon is missing until now.
