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Wednesday, 29 July 2009

Gunasegaran: One more who went down Teoh Beng Hock’s road? Funds needed for post-mortem

by Nathaniel Tan

This death happened at almost exactly the same time as Teoh’s.

At the time, details were scant, but now:

According to the police, R Gunasegaran, 31, had died from a drug abuse.

His sister, R Ganga Gowri, 32, disagreed with this version in her police report today in which she alleged that he may have died after being assaulted.

This was claimed by three witnesses who were said to be detained in the same lockup with Gunasegaran, she stated in her police report.

“These (witnesses) are very afraid. They do not wish the authorities breathing down on them and shall remain anonymous.

He added that the witnesses said that Gunasegaran was kicked in the chest, hit with a hose and a piece of wood.

Once again, the autopsy is the key.

However, Ganga Gowri had not examined the body for wounds, which is still at the Kuala Lumpur General Hospital mortuary.

She will not claim the body until a post-mortem and toxicology report is released.

Visvanathan said that although the standard practice by the authorities is to release the reports after two months, this had to be changed.

It is insane to have the family claim the body and perform funeral rites and then wait for the post-mortem report, say for instance if the body had evidence of an assault whilst in detention,” added Harris.

Harris said the police should be fair and kind to the family of the deceased and allow them access to the reports in order for them to request for a second independent autopsy if necessary.

Harris’ blog has how you can help out too:

Tomorrow, or in the days to come, a decision may have to be made to remove Gunasegaran’s body from the mortuary at the Kuala Lumpur Hospital to be take to another hospital facility for post-mortem.

We are given to understand that this procedure would cost around RM3,000.00

The family of Gunasegaran are not people of means.

Will you help to bear the cost of the post-mortem?

If you care to, send me an e-mail at thepeoplesparliament@gmail.com for details.

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