Suhakam to probe suspicious custodial death in Kajang prison

 

Suhakam is looking into another death in custody case - the 12th reported this year - after a detainee at the Kajang prison reportedly died on June 21 under suspicious circumstances.

The deceased, 25-year-old Roopan Karnagaran, had died eight days before the court was supposed to hear his appeal over a murder charge.

The circumstances around his death were revealed at a virtual press conference today, attended by his next of kin, NGO Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram), Suhakam, and other activists.

According to Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) member S Arulchelvan, Roopan was among two individuals arrested four years ago over alleged involvement in a triple-murder that occurred in 2013.

Initially, it was believed that Roopan was not thought to be a suspect until the police’s alleged discovery of his DNA at the crime scene four years later.

He was convicted in 2020, but insisted he was innocent. His appeal was scheduled for hearing on June 29.

Roopan’s death occurred after he was warded in hospital for four days according to a chronology of events prepared by Suaram.

On June 17, the family received a call that Roopan had been rushed to the Kajang Hospital after suffering shortness of breath.

On June 19, the family was informed that Roopan had a heart infection and had to be warded for five to six days.

Two days later, he was discharged.

“On Monday (June 21), we wanted to know about his condition. When I asked the hospital, they said that he didn’t have Covid-19 so he was moved to Ward 1,” said Roopan’s uncle Sevakumar Kanapathy at the press conference.

“When I called Ward 1, they told me that he didn’t have Covid-19 and that he was discharged,” he added.

However, unbeknownst to the family, Roopan was already dead.

According to the Suaram chronology, after returning from hospital Roopan had become unconscious at around 11.30am while at the Kajang prison’s sickbay.

He was then rushed back to the Kajang Hospital, where he was declared dead at 12pm - about one and half hours before Sevakumar called the hospital to check on him.

The family was reportedly informed of his death at around 2pm.

When the family went to the morgue later, a police inspector reportedly informed them that Roopan was Covid-19 positive, contradicting what the hospital had earlier told them.

The Kajang Hospital later affirmed that Roopan was Covid-19 positive.

This was, however, not noted as the cause of death on his death certificate.

The cause of death was instead reportedly stated as a blood clot in Roopan’s foot.

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy

Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy, who was also at the press conference, said the circumstances around Roopan’s death warranted an investigation.

“We hope that Suhakam can investigate Roopan's bizarre death. For us, there are elements of negligence and abuse of power,” he said when handing over a virtual memorandum to Suhakam.

Suhakam commissioner Madeline Berma said that the human rights commission is taking a very serious view towards the case as it involved “human life”.

“As usual, Suhakam will conduct investigations without bias. We, as human rights commissioners, will ensure justice to Roopan who has passed away and his next of kin,” she added. - Mkini