Police, accused of cover-up, seek inquest for guard's death

Lawyers for the family of C.Sugumar, 40, who died after being set up by a mob on Wednesday, have accused the police and hospital of conspiring to cover-up allegations of police brutality.

They said the family has rejected the post-mortem results saying that the deceased died from a heart related disease, and will now ask for a second post mortem to be done.

“Sugumar had no health problems and was only 40 years old. It is unbelievable that a healthy man should suddenly collapse and die immediately upon arrest,” said N.Surendran in a joint press statement with Latheefa Koya, both PKR leaders.

They noted the deceased was still handcuffed, had some lacerations "consistent with a struggle with police", with turmeric powder on his face.

The post mortem last night had shown the deceased had no serious bruises on the body, aside from minor bruises on one knee and arms.

Police had also denied any instances of foul play leading to Sugumar’s death.

"A post-mortem revealed that he had a blockage in his heart (coronary artery disease). There were no other injuries," Kajang district police chief Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab had reportedly said.

Police had also said the deceased had fell into a drain during the commotion, requiring policemen to rescue. However an inquest for the case would be requested.

On Wednesday evening, Sugumar had apparently created a small ruckus, when he went amok in front of a shop in Taman Pekaka, Hulu Langat. Police said he had previously walked for about 2km from Dusun Nanding.

Witnesses claimed that a mob of more than 20 assaulted him near his house at Batu 12.

They said that four policemen, two were in uniform had tackled him, handcuffed him and assaulted him together with the mob.

One of the policemen was claimed, had thrown turmeric powder on the deceased during the scuffle.

Sugumar died before police could transport him back to the station. He was found to be semi-nude.

On January 24, friends and family of Sugumar had gathered outside the Serdang Hospital demanding to see the body. Lawyers claimed the family was denied access to see the body for hours.

Meanwhile, Sugumar’s uncle, M.Jayaparathy,36, said although his nephew did have a history of mental illnesses, he was generally a gentle man.

“He may have looked fierce because of his big size but has a soft heart. He is actually timid, so I don’t want this to be racial or political issue, we just want a fair judgement,” he said.