BY: NORHAYATI UMOR
SHAH ALAM, FEB 20: All the police officers who had caused the death of Balamurugan, 44, must be investigated and not exempted from legal actions.
Klang Member of Parliament, Charles Santiago said that since the autopsy report found the victim had endured numerous beatings.
He said, an independent investigation body must be formed to investigate this rampant police ‘practice’.
“The second autopsy done by Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s (HKL) pathologist found that Balamurugan suffered multiple injuries on his chest, head, legs and back causing heart failure.
“The beatings were ridiculous and the pathologists’ report is enough to detain these police officers,” he said in a statement.
Charles said, those involved should be prosecuted in an independent and legitimate court which cannot be manipulated by certain interested parties.
“Police should not abuse their power and they have no right to torture prisoners. Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) reported that 721 prisoners have been reported dead while in police custody, from 2013 to April 2016.
“That is an average of 18 deaths a month, but police still show excessive force during investigation and easily escape from any legal action,” he said.
Yesterday, the lawyer for the victim’s family, Lathefa Koya and N Surendran urged for the immediate arrest and prosecution of all the police officers involved in attacking Balamurugan causing his death.
Balamurugan died while in police custody, on Fenruary 8 at the Klang Utara Police station, and according to news report, he was found with his face bruised and bleeding.
The first autopsy was done at the Klang Hospital, which found him to have died from “heart failure” following which his family filed an application for a second autopsy. The Shah Alam High Court allowed the appeal.
It was reported that approximately 10 police officers at the Klang Utara police headquarters are under investigation relating to Balamurugan’s death.
The Malaysian Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) and Enforcement Agencies’ Integrity Commission are also investigating this case.
Balamurugan’s death: Charles urged police involved be investigated
