SHAH ALAM, March 6 — The Coroner's Court ruled today that C. Sugumar's death during police detention in 2013 was hastened by officers’ failure to seek immediate medical attention for his heart problem.

Judge Rozi Bainon said even though the cause of death is coronary artery disease, police officers present during his arrest in Hulu Langat then should have sent Sugumar, who had then been handcuffed, to the hospital when he began experiencing breathing difficulties.

"There is no testimony in court that the deceased's actions caused any harm towards others," she said in her ruling.

She added that the police officers' action such as using multiple pairs of handcuffs on the deceased also raised questions of whether they were done in a brutal and unusual manner.

Sugumar died shortly after he was arrested for allegedly running amok at a suburb in Hulu Langat on January 23, 2013.

C. Sugumar's mother, K. Mani Magalai speaks to reporters after the Coroner's Court verdict. — Picture by Melissa Chi

According to eyewitnesses, Sugumar had been held down by three policemen as they handcuffed him, with one policeman allegedly stepping on his head to pin it to the ground while another sat on his buttocks and the third held his legs.

Today, the judge said it is now up to the police and the Attorney-General's Chambers to begin investigations under the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) and file the appropriate charges.

Eric Paulsen, who is the lawyer for Sugumar's family, said three inquests including this one have already found police officers liable for deaths of detainees but none was disciplined or charged.

"This is a culture of impunity where if the police did anything wrong, the authorities would protect them.

"We ask that they immediately re-investigate properly and in good faith, competently and if there is any criminal element, the officers should be charged or sacked from the force," he told reporters.

Sugumar's mother, 66-year-old K. Mani Magalai who spoke briefly in Tamil, demanded justice for her son whom she said had died in a humiliating way.

"The police are telling lies," she said in tears.