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Friday, January 23, 2009

Kugan’s death as murder - Malaysiakini

KUALA LUMPUR: Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail has asked the police to classify the death of suspected car thief A. Kugan as murder for investigation purposes.

He said he met Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar who brought photographs of Kugan, taken by both the police as well as outsiders who had gone into the Serdang Hospital mortuary.

“After studying the photos and investigation papers, I suggested to the Deputy IGP to classify the case under Section 302 of the Penal Code.

“If investigations and the post-mortem report reveal that he died after being assaulted, than those responsible will be charged with murder.

“If there is no evidence to suggest foul play than the matter must be laid to rest and also should not be politicised,” he said.

Deputy IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar assured Kugan’s family and the public that police would not cover up any wrongdoing by any personnel or officer.

He said an independent investigation team has been appointed for the case.

“I sympathise with the family and assure them we will not cover up for any one.

“We will uphold the law and investigate the matter professionally and with integrity,” he added.

Earlier in KUCHING, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan said a full investigation will be carried out into the death.

He said although the post-mortem report found that Kugan had died due to fluid in his lungs, police would conduct an in-depth investigation to find out what had transpired.

”We will not cover up anything,” he told reporters after chairing the first tripartite meeting between the chiefs of the Royal Malaysian Police, Royal Brunei Police Force and Indonesia National Police here on Friday.

The 22-year-old Kugan died in police custody on Tuesday while being questioned in relation to several luxury car thefts.

Musa also said Kugan’s family members should not have gone into the Serdang Hospital mortuary to view the body as it could be considered tampering with evidence.

”This should not have happened and we will also investigate it as a report has been lodged,” he said.


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