Court fixes date for hearing on death in lock-up

Malay Mail
by Zalinah Noordin

THE magistrate’s court yesterday fixed March 8 to hear preliminary issues over the death of Cheah Chin Lee, who died while in police custody.

However, magistrate Siti Salwa Ja’afar has yet to set the actual date of the inquest.

Counsel M. Visvanathan, representing Cheah’s family, filed an application for a copy of all related documents that the police have on the case, including post-mortem and chemical reports and CCTV footage of the lock-up where Cheah was found dead.

However, DPP Mohd Faisal Md Noor said the matter would need to be referred to his higher-ups first.

“We will need time before producing these documents and settle all preliminary issues before an inquest can be called,” said Mohd Faisal.

Visvanathan said he had also asked for leave to cross-examine the witnesses.

Present were Cheah’s mother, Lim Geik Suan, 67, and uncle, Cheah Ewe Yeow.

On Aug 13 last year, Chin Lee was arrested for allegedly trying to steal a motorcycle at 12.30am and held at the Tanjung Tokong police station.

He was then taken to the Patani Road police station to undergo an urine test before being brought back to the station at 5am. He was found dead 20 minutes later.