Karpal's death: A tragedy repeated in the family

The shocking departure of political icon and esteemed lawyer Karpal Singh in a road accident near Gua Tempurung, Gopeng, Perak this morning became yet another tragedy in the family.

Karpal’s father, Ram Singh Deo, also met his demise in an accident in Amritsar, India, almost 40 years ago.

Ram was in his 70s'.

In the fatal accident of May 18, 1974, Ram was thrown out of a rickshaw he was riding in when a car rammed into it from behind.

Ram, who just came out of a bank, was killed instantly at the scene.

The death of Karpal’s father was recorded by journalist Tim Donoghue in the biography, 'Karpal Singh: Tiger of Jelutong', published last year.

According to Donoghue, Karpal’s father lived in Penang and had gone to Punjab to visit relatives staying there.

Karpal, who had just started his career as a lawyer, was handling one of his first murder cases at the Alor Setar court at the time.

Ram had migrated from Punjab to Malaya in 1926 to escape poverty and build a new life. He had left, among others, his brother, Maghar Singh Deo.

According to Donoghue, when Ram arrived in Penang in a vessel from Calcutta, the man had tried his luck working in a tin mine in Ipoh before returning to Penang.

After working in Malaya for six years, Ram returned to his hometown that was some 64 kilometres from Amritsar to marry Kartar Kaur. He however returned alone to Penang after his marriage.

Three years later, Kartar joined Ram in Penang where they lived in Jalan Green Hill.