Sugumaran's family to shun 'sham inquest'

C Sugumaran's family has rejected the proposed inquest into his death, as they have even more reason to believe that police personnel had assaulted him on Jan 23 while he was handcuffed.

“The calling of an inquest despite eyewitness evidence suggesting assault and murder is illogical, sinister and unlawful. We categorically state here, Sugumaran's family will not participate in this sham inquest,” said lawyers Latheefa Koya (right) and N Surendran who are representing the family.

“The rejection of a murder investigation and calling of inquest is part of a massive cover-up of Sugumaran's death being  orchestrated by the police, the Home Ministry, attorney-general and  the government.”

Selangor police chief Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah (left) had called for an inquest and Bukit Aman confirmed yesterday that the AG had approved it.

Three eyewitnesses had their testimony recorded late yesterday at the Petaling Jaya district police station. Latheefa and Eric Paulsen, who is with Lawyers for Liberty, accompanied them.

Latheefa and Surendran claimed that police had made no attempt to locate these witnesses, despite knowing about them.

“The witnesses came forward entirely of their own accord. The testimony given was shocking, and confirms the family's position that Sugumaran was killed by police personnel,” the lawyers said in a joint statement.

“The witnesses said that a police officer was seen stepping brutally on Sugumaran's neck with his booted foot while the security guard was seen trying to move his head away from under the boot. The police officer continued pressing on Sugumaran's neck until he stopped struggling and became motionless.

In light of this, the two asked how the police and AG could justify only holding an inquest.

“We demand on behalf of Sugumaran's family that a murder investigation be opened immediately. The family and the people of this country expect the police and AG to act fairly and professionally and ensure that justice is done in this case,” they said.

‘Police were involved in melee’

Paulsen went to the police station yesterday evening with two eyewitnesses - a 20-year-old man and his 16-year-old nephew, who were interviewed by two officers for three hours.

Latheefa came in later with the other eyewitness.

Paulsen (right) said the two had told police that Sugumaran was on the run when he was apprehended in Hulu Langat. Tumeric powder was smeared on his face and he was handcuffed amidst a struggle.

“The two saw (some) people and the police hitting Sugumaran, while one (police personnel) stepped on his neck,” he said.

“The four police (personnel) did not stop the people in the melee and, when Sugumaran was lying motionless, no medical attention was given.

The two witnesses left the scene shortly afterwards and, when they came back, still did not see any emergency personnel attending to Sugumaran.

If Sugumaran had indeed died of a ‘blockage in the heart’ as the police have claimed, Paulsen asked why no effort had been made to resuscitate him.