IGP blasts EAIC custodial death report as deceptive

KUALA LUMPUR, April 28 — A federal commission’s findings on the custodial death of N. Dharmendran was misleading as it implied that the police did not take action over the incident, Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said today.

The Inspector-General of Police pointed out that four officers involved were charged with murder, which he said controverted the contents of the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) report released today.

“Datuk Yaacob Md Sam’s statement gives rise to the perception that the police failed to take action against the four officers involved. Even from the start, the investigation against them was conducted comprehensively, carefully and transparently,” Khalid said in a statement today.

The IGP added that the investigation resulted in the Attorney-General’s Chambers proffering murder charges against the four, which is punishable by death upon conviction.

He said this was clear evidence that the police did not protect any of its own officers or men involved in any crime.

Khalid further criticised the EAIC for releasing its report on the case at this juncture, saying it jeopardised the ongoing murder trial against the four officers that is set to resume next month.

“It should not have been discussed outside of the court as it is both prejudicial to the accused and sub judice,” he said, adding that the EAIC should have waited for the conclusion of the trial.

The EAIC concluded in its report today the police were responsible for Dharmendran’s death, saying the detainee was beaten to death.

It said it found evidence of torture and accused the police officers involved of tampering with evidence to hide their deed.

Yaacob today said the EAIC’s findings could be admissible in the murder trial as the testimony the commission recorded was given under oath.

Dharmendran, 31, had been detained on May 21, 2013 for the attempted murder of two people in Cheras. He had complained of chest pains while he had been locked up and collapsed at around 4.25pm on May 21.

He was pronounced dead on arrival after being immediately sent to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur.

The Kuala Lumpur High Court initially acquitted the four police officers charged with his murder, but the Court of Appeal later ordered the four men to enter their defence this May.