Death in custody: Family to sue

The police are accused of denying medical treatment to lorry driver P Chandran.

KUALA LUMPUR: The family of P Chandran, the lorry driver who recently died under police custody, will file a civil suit against the government and the Royal Malaysian Police.

A memorandum on the matter was submitted to the Bukit Aman police headquarters today and a copy given to Deputy Home Minister Abu Seman Yusop, Kapar MP S Manickavasagam (PKR) told reporters at the parliament lobby.

Chandran, 47, died at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters on Sept 10 after being held there for four days on suspicion of abducting a baby in Sungai Besi.

Police have classified the case as sudden death, but Chandran’s family suspects that they denied him medical treatment despite being informed that he had high blood pressure.

Manickavasagam said the family had lodged three police reports but claimed that no action had been taken since.

“Mind you, he was only a suspect,” he said.

The MP for Teluk Intan, DAP’s M Manogaran, also spoke to reporters about the case. He said Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar must ensure an independent inquiry and punish the officers involved.

“This is why we need the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission,” he said. “There are too many cases of death in custody.

“Chandran left six children. Who is going to look after them now?”

He urged the Home Ministry to provide long-term compensation for the family since it was the police’s negligence that caused Chandran’s death.

“Technically, a person should feel safe in a lock-up,” he added.

Chandran’s brother, Gunalan, alleged that police did not allow the deceased’s wife to visit him despite several pleas.

“She told the police that he needed his medication, but they ignored her,” he said.

He also alleged that the police ignored a magistrate’s order for Chandran to be taken to a hospital.

“Chandran was good man,” he said. “Even a death row prisoner will get his final wish fulfilled, but my brother was not even allowed to see his wife.”