Hare Krishnan was never on the run, says wife

Inspector S Hare Krishnan, the fourth suspect in the custodial death of N Dhamendran, was never on the run, his wife has claimed.

Shaarmini Balakrishnan (right in photo) told Malaysiakini today that Hare Krishnan did not turn up for work after his leave expired on June 15 because he had been told that he was suspended from duty.

Since then, she said, Hare Krishnan had engaged a lawyer who has sent numerous letters to the police but there has been no reply.

“He was never on the run. The lawyer was available (for the police) to contact,” she said.

Hare Krishnan turned himself in at Dang Wangi at 11am today.

Shaarmini further said that he has made a Statutory Declaration claiming his innocence in the Dhamendran’s case.

She said she was in the house with Hare Krishnan (right) when he received a call from the Dang Wangi police district headquarters informing him about Dhamendran's death.

"He was at home resting. And I heard him shout when he was informed about Dhamendran's death," she said.

Shaarmini said the inspector-general of police had assured Hare Krishnan of justice if he surrenders.

"In fact, the police asked him to surrender and rejoin work. He was only asked to give a statement," she said.
'Waiting for statement'
Shaarmini said that, all the while, Hare Krishnan had been waiting for a written statement from the police that they would investigate the claims he had made in a police report on June 1.

In the same report, he had declared his innocence and said he was not even at the police station on the day Dhamendran died, on May 21.

"It was only after Malaysiakini reported on the matter that the police issued a statement that they would investigate his police report," she added.

On June 5, three police personnel, a sergeant and two corporals, were charged with the murder of Dhamendran.