Hindraf: Where’s probe into homicide ruling on custodial death?

Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy slams AG, IGP for 2 months of inaction since JB coroner made homicide ruling on death of prisoner Sasikumar in Kluang prison.

PETALING JAYA: Hindraf has questioned the silence and inaction of the attorney-general and the inspector-general of police following the ruling by the Johor Bahru coroner last November that a custodial death at Kluang Prison in 2015 was homicide and not suicide.

Hindraf chairman P Waythamoorthy was referring to the case of Sasikumar Selvam, whom police alleged had hanged himself in his cell at the Kluang Prison on May 22, 2015.

“Evidence adduced at the inquest into Sasikumar’s death clearly points to the existence of a drug racket involving senior prison officers and inmates.

“The Kluang Prison director and his senior officers admitted they knew of the existence of drug distribution but did not know what actions were taken nor did they bother to report to higher authorities on the issue,” Waythamoorthy said in a statement.

Johor Baru coroner Kamarudin Kamsun had on Nov 13 last year, found that Sasikumar did not die as a result of suicide but his death was caused by homicide committed by person or persons unknown.

It was reported previously that the coroner had left it to the police to decide if they would conduct a thorough investigation to find those responsible.

“The coroner said there was existing evidence for police to investigate persons, in particular inmates or prison officers, who were involved in a drug syndicate in the prison.

“He also cited the evidence of how Sasikumar himself had told a prison officer that his life was under threat and feared for his life just two days before he was found hanged,” Hindraf had said previously.

Waythamoorthy, who had represented Sasikumar’s family at the inquest, then cited Section 338(1) of the Criminal Procedure Code which called for action on the part of the police and public prosecutor after having received the ruling by the JB coroner.

“It is almost two months since the finding of homicide made by the coroner and Hindraf is shocked the AG has taken a lackadaisical attitude to this serious crime committed against a helpless youth who should not have been in prison in the first place for stealing tins of sardine and rice.

“The AG must note, the complaints of the grandmother of Sasikumar, who had suspected murder from the beginning and refused to claim the body from the mortuary for more than 100 days,” he said.

He then urged the AG and IGP not to take the evidence adduced in the course of the inquest lightly based on all the incriminating evidence presented. -FMT