HomeNewsBeritaBusinessLifestyleOpinionWorldSportsPropertyEducationCarzillaGalleryVideosAccelerator

Give coroners more power, says Bar after custodial death

-

Questions in the A Ganapathy case make the need for IPCMC and an independent Coroners Act all the more dire, says the Bar president.

0
Shares
Total Views: 1
Free Malaysia Today
A Ganapathy, who was detained by police for 12 days, died in hospital after more than a month.

PETALING JAYA:
Following the latest case of custodial death, the Malaysian Bar has renewed calls for an independent police oversight body and an Act to strengthen the role of coroners.

Bar president AG Kalidas said in times like these the formation of the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) could not be overstated.

The current Independent Police Conduct Commission (IPCC) proposed by the government lacked the bite to ensure genuine and independent transparency as well as accountability in the force.

There should also be no delay in introducing an independent Coroners Act that will allow coroners to supervise and direct comprehensive investigations to determine the cause of death, Kalidas added.

“The questions surrounding A Ganapathy’s death make the need for IPCMC and the independent Coroners Act all the more dire,” he said in a statement.

Kalidas said unabated deaths in custody have led to an erosion of confidence in law enforcement authorities.

“The formation of the IPCMC and the enactment of an independent Coroners Act will not only ensure a transparent and accountable police force in our country, which is essential, but will also strengthen public confidence in our police force.”

Ganapathy died at 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 sustained while in police custody.

However, Gombak police chief Arifai Tarawe had said there was no evidence that the man was beaten while in police hands.

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.

Stay current - Follow FMT on WhatsApp, Google news and Telegram

Subscribe to our newsletter and get news delivered to your mailbox.