Latheefa raises ‘red flag’ in death probe, catches EAIC commissioner in 'conflict of interest'

PKR has raised a red flag in the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission's (EAIC) ongoing investigation into recent cases of custodial death, as one of its commissioners is also representing one of the three policemen charged with murder in the case of N. Dhamendran.

PKR legal and human rights bureau head Latheefa Koya today pointed out the potential conflict of interest as EAIC commissioner Datuk Salehuddin Saidin will be required to defend his client, while at the same time expected to be "independent and objective" when looking into the complaints and misconduct of policemen.

"We (PKR) note that this is not the first time Datuk Salehuddin Saidin is involved as a defence lawyer for policemen in custodial torture and death cases.

"He (Salehuddin) was also the defence lawyer for Navindran Vivekanandan, charged with causing grievous hurt on A. Kugan, who died in custody," said Latheefa in a statement.

Commissioner agrees to withdraw from Dharmendran's case

As such, Latheefa urged the government to withdraw its support for EAIC's investigation into custodial deaths. She reiterated a call for formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission.

In an immediate response, Salehuddin urged Latheefa to "get her facts straight", saying the accused policeman in Dhamendran's case is represented by his legal assistant, Geethan Ram.

"He (Geethan) accepted the case last week, while I was away, and before EAIC decided to investigate the case.

"Now that EAIC has initiated a full inquiry into cases of custodial deaths, our firm will write a letter to inform the court and our client that we are withdrawing from the case," Salehuddin told theSun.

Referring to the Kugan case, he said he only represented the accused when the case was mentioned in court, and also the fact that EAIC was only set-up in 2011, two years after the incident.

The Sundaily