Police to ask for inquest into Nagarajan's death

The Cheras police will ask for an inquest into the death of odd-job worker K Nagarajan while in police custody on Dec 24.

“After getting the (autopsy) report from the hospital, we will refer it to the deputy public prosecutor to seek the inquest,” said Cheras police district chief ACP Mohan Singh.

He told Malaysiakini that the police are still waiting for the report from the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) Medical Centre.

“We cannot speculate about the cause of his death. We have referred to the hospital to conduct an autopsy to determine his cause of death.

“We are waiting for the report. Physically, there is no element of criminality,” he said, adding that the case is being investigated as one of 'sudden death'.
Nagarajan (left), 32, been detained on Dec 21 on suspicion of drug-related offences and was held at the Dang Wangi district police headquarters lockup. He was found dead three days later.

His family had expressed disbelief of police claims that Nagarajan had died of a fall.

Puchong MP Gobind Deo Singh has asked Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein to show the CCTV footage of the lockup.

Bar Council president Lim Chee Wee has urged the government to establish a Coroner’s Court in the wake of several deaths in custody.