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Ganapathy died at the Selayang Hospital on April 18, just over a month after he was warded. His family’s lawyer had said the pathologist had confirmed he died as a result of injuries on his legs and shoulders while in police custody.
The lawyer, K Ganesh also said he had been briefed by Kuala Lumpur Hospital’s pathology department on the findings.
According to a Malay Mail report today, Arifai said that although Ganapathy had been brought before the magistrates’ court three times between Feb 25 and March 6, he never mentioned being abused.
He added that between Feb 28 and March 7, Ganapathy was taken to the hospital four times to treat an old injury but also did not tell any medical personnel that he had been physically assaulted.
“Based on all the facts we have so far, we find that the complaints made by the victim’s family cannot be proven,” he told a press conference today.
“As a result, we surmised that the complaint cannot be proven but investigations are still ongoing. There are steps we need to take, such as getting more statements from the respective parties to assist us.”
Arifai also revealed that Ganapathy had tested positive for methamphetamine.
According to previous reports, Ganapathy’s mother, S Thanaletchumy said her son was arrested on Feb 24 to assist the police in an investigation involving one of his brothers.
Thanaletchumy claimed Ganapathy was in relatively good health despite suffering from diabetes. She also said her son had informed her that he had been beaten with a rubber hose by the police.
Rights groups have called for a stop to police brutality in custody, with a review of the culture of violence and abuse tactics to force suspects to confess.
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