Detainee dead, family suspects foul play

Detainee dead, family suspects foul play
Andrew Ong | Jul 28, 09 5:05pm

A woman has disputed the official account of her brother's death, who died in police
custody at the Sentul police station on July 16.
According to the police, R Gunasegaran, 31, had died from a drug abuse.
His sister, R Ganga Gowri, 32 (right), disagreed
with this version in her police report today in
which she alleged that he may have died after
being assaulted.
This was claimed by three witnesses who were
said to be detained in the same lockup with
Gunasegaran, she stated in her police report.
In view of this, Ganga Gowri is urging the
authorities to perform a thorough and
transparent investigation into the allegations.
She is also demanding that hospital authorities
release the autopsy report if there is one, and
for the police to initiate an inquest.
She was speaking at a press conference,
organised by lawyer Harris Ibrahim and
attended by six other lawyers.
"These (witnesses) are very afraid. They do not
wish the authorities breathing down on them
and shall remain anonymous.
"Should there be a transparent inquest, I have been given assurances that these
people will surface," said Ganga Gowri's counsel M Visvanathan.
Visvanathan, said the witnesses alleged that Gunasegaran died within two to three
hours of his arrest at about 7.30pm.
He added that the witnesses said that Gunasegaran was kicked in the chest, hit with a
hose and a piece of wood.
However, Ganga Gowri had not examined the body for wounds, which is still at the
Kuala Lumpur General Hospital mortuary.
Body still not claimed
She will not claim the body until a post-mortem and toxicology report is released.
Visvanathan said that although the standard practice by the authorities is to release
the reports after two months, this had to be changed.
"It is insane to have the family claim the body and perform funeral rites and then
wait for the post-mortem report, say for instance if the body had evidence of an
assault whilst in detention," added Harris.
Harris said the police should be fair
and kind to the family of the
Detainee dead, family suspects foul play http://www1.malaysiakini.com/v6/print.php
1 of 2 7/28/2009 8:01 PM
deceased and allow them access to
the reports in order for them to
request for a second independent
autopsy if necessary.
Bar Council Human Rights
Committee chairperson Edmund
Bon said there appears to be
inconsistencies in the way the
government deals with custodial
deaths.
He said it was only with sufficient public pressure, where full blown investigations will
be carried out, such as in the case of DAP political aide Teoh Beng Hock, who
incidentally was found dead on the same day as Gunasegaran.
He urged the government to heed repeated request by NGOs and civil societies for
the establishment of a Coroners Court as magistrates conducting inquest, were not
sufficiently trained in this area.
Police chief promises action
Meanwhile, KL police chief Muhammad Sabtu Osman said that the police will
investigate the matter thoroughly to find the truth.
"We cannot let this matter just like that. We will investigate thoroughly," he told
reporters.
He added the police will have a look at the report lodged by the family.
"We will take action against any person found to have been involved in the detainee's
death, even if it involves my personnel," he added.
© 2009 Mkini Dotcom Sdn Bhd. All rights reserved.

Detainee dead, family suspects foul play http://www1.malaysiakini.com/v6/print.php
2 of 2 7/28/2009 8:01 PM