A PHYSICALLY-challenged man claimed that he was being maliciously accused on assault charges despite him being the victim.
In a statutory declaration (SD) sighted by FocusM, the Ulu Bernam resident, S Rajan, 43, said his ordeal started on Sept 19 when he was manhandled by a Bangladeshi man for allegedly making too much noise while a having conversation with a relative outside the Golden Wood Tyre Shop.
“He pushed me on my chest and when I asked him why he was behaving like that, his employer by the name of Kamal came forward and said the Bangladeshi was his employee.
“Kamal also threatened to decapitate me if I messed around with his worker. My brother in law, M Murugan defused the situation upon realising the duo were intoxicated and we left the place. I had no prior issues with Kamal although I got to know later that my brother-in-law had some problems with him in the past,” he said.
Then on Oct 2 (9pm), while he was alone outside the same tyre shop, Rajan alleged that Kamal had attacked him and dislodged his prosthetic leg.
After falling down, Rajan alleged that Kamal continued to assault him by kicking his back and challenged the former to bring his siblings over to fight him, while hurling profanities.
“At 9.24pm the same day, I lodged a police report against Kamal at the Ulu Bernam police station. As I was not really well-versed on such matters, I didn’t realise the report actually indicated the incident on Sept 18. I only found out about the discrepancy after being told by Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) and Suara Rakyat Malaysia (SUARAM) activists,” he noted.
Subsequently, he lodged another report on Oct 3 after noticing bruises on his body and was told to get checked at the Kuala Kubu Bharu Hospital.
Rajan added that he was informed that the investigating officer (IO) for the case was one known as Azman. He later produced the medical reports to another officer as Azman was not around.
“At 6pm, Azman called me and said he will be detaining both Kamal and I as he as unsure who was at fault.
“I then went to see Murugan at the Golden Wood oil palm plantation as he was working there but surprisingly, Kamal came in his Perodua Alza and said that no action can be taken against him.
“He also claimed that he had paid Azman RM5,000. I cannot verify its authenticity but Kamal threatened me by saying that he will decapitate me. I then tried calling Azman but could not reach his phone,” he added.
Things took a surprising turn on Oct 6, when three unknown individuals, who claimed to be officers, came to his house at 3.30am from the Ulu Bernam police station.
When he opened the door, Rajan said the trio were not wearing police uniform and had their faces covered. One of the men then pushed him off his wheelchair and slapped his right cheek.
“He threatened to kill me and my family members if I didn’t retract the police report against Kamal, while pointing a knife at me,” he stated.
Suicide attempt due to undue stress
Unable to bear the threats, Rajan tried to poison himself to death as he believed Azman may have been compromised and he may not get justice.
Despite surviving the suicide attempt after being hospitalised at the Slim River Hospital, he said that Azman had went to his mother’s place to ask why Rajan did not come up the police station for further questioning.
“My mother told Azman that I was hospitalised and even asked the officer why he had ignored me all the while. Thus, Azman asked my mother to provide a statement instead.
“That’s when I approached SUARAM and PSM for help as I feel I cannot get justice,” Rajan stated.
SUARAM’s letter for Rajan’s case
In an update, PSM deputy chairperson said that Rajan had been detained by the police following his suicide attempt under Section 309 of the Penal Code for attempting to commit suicide.
However, the police later released him under police bail, only to charge Rajan again under Section 106 on minor assault charges.
“The problem is that the IO had refused to tell us anything about the case, including to his lawyer. We have even submitted details of the case to the IGP’s office, requesting him to transfer to case to Selangor headquarters or Bukit Aman.
“We feel that Azman may have been compromised. He just refused to answer any calls from Rajan’s lawyer or even his family,” Arutchelvan added.
Rajan’s lawyer T Shashi Devan confirmed that Azman refused to entertain any calls from him, despite both being professional acquaintances for some time.
He added that it was outrageous that Rajan was immediately charged under Section 106 after receiving police bail on the previous charge.
“Rajan is a wheelchair-bound individual and you’re telling me he (managed to) beat up people? Clearly, Rajan is the victim here but he is being charged instead.”
Shashi Devan remarked: “The police should know that the Government is now in the midst of decriminalising suicide. Rajan attempted to take his own life after being assaulted and intimidated by certain people.” – Nov 15, 2021.
