Govt, police to appeal against judgement in Kugan's case

The government and the police will appeal against the judgement in the civil suit filed by the family of suspected car thief A. Kugan, who died in police custody. Home Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said they would file an appeal in the Court of Appeal, failing which they would appeal to the Federal Court. "I respect the decision made by High Court judge Justice V.T. Singham. As justice must be abided by not only by the accused but also the accused, definitely Inspector-General of Police (Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar) and the government would appeal against the decision to a higher court," he said. He was speaking to reporters after opening the Sekolah Izzuddin Shah and Sekolah Menengah Raja Perempuan Ta'ayah's alumni 15th annual general meeting and its cooperative society here today. In the landmark ruling, which saw the family of Kugan winning RM801,700 in damages, High Court judge Justice V.T. Singham said former Selangor police chief Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar (now Inspector-General of Police), was liable to misconduct in public office. Ahmad Zahid said with the decision, it showed proved the perception that the court would always be in favour of the government was not true. He said that people also needed to change the negative perception of police as they had made various changes, including establishing central detention centres and formed a committee to examine weaknesses in the standard operating procedures. "I will never compromise with any officer or policeman who misuse their power and action against any detainee," he said. In his decision lat Wednesday, Justice Singham also found the police and the government liable for Kugans death from grievous injuries at the Taipan police station on Jan 20, 2009. In her suit, Kugan's mother N. Indra, 46, had named Khalid, former constable V. Navindran, former Subang Jaya police chief ACP Zainal Rashid Abu Bakar (deceased), the Inspector-General of Police and the Government as defendants.