OUTRAGED over the police casting doubt on A Ganapathy’s apparent death under police custody, Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) rebuked the former for attempting to shift the blame to others.
“Gombak district police chief Arifai Tarawe is full of poppycock. Just because the deceased never complained of assault when brought to the magistrate and a medical officer, he claims no assault took place.
“Plus, Arifai’s comment is premature and could be seen as an obstruction to justice,” its deputy chairperson S Arutchelvan told FocusM.
Yesterday, Arifai claimed that there is no proof that Ganapathy was beaten and tortured in police custody. He made the assumption as the deceased never mentioned the matter to the magistrate, despite being brought there three times (Feb 25, March 2 and March 6).
The senior cop also said that Ganapathy was brought to the hospital four times (Feb 28, March 3, March 6 and March 7) but the latter did not mention of being physically assaulted.
“Based on all the facts we have so far, we find that the complaints made by the victim’s family cannot be proven.
“He had an opportunity to bring it up with the judge and hospital staff treating him but never mentioned any foul play,” Arifai was reported saying.
Hurling brickbats on Arifai, Arutchelvan said that it was obvious that Ganapathy did not mention the assault as the latter was terrified, knowing very well that he would be placed under the same police officers’ custody later on.
“Most with rationale mind would have came to that conclusion on why the deceased remained silent,” he stated.
We need IPCMC
With that said, Arutchelvan urged the Government to form an independent inquiry to probe the matter, with the officers who dealt with Ganapathy’s case suspended or given leave until the investigation is completed.
He added that the team should not include anyone linked to the Gombak police.
“This is why we need the Independent Police Complaints of Misconduct Commission (IPCMC). Who is going to come forward as witness now?
“The OCPD can talk all he wants because a dead man can’t defend himself. While Arifai has urged the public not to speculate on the case, I call for him to do the same thing,” Arutchelvan retorted.
On related matter, Klang MP Charles Santiago said that the autopsy conducted on Ganapathy clearly revealed that the latter died due to severe injuries on his legs, which were sustained in police custody.
“Why torture a suspect to the point of death? Ganapathy was not even charged for any crime.
“The Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) should investigate the matter under Section 339 of the Criminal Procedure Code,” he said, adding the Government should expedite the formation of the IPCMC before another innocent person ends up in a body bag. – May 1, 2021
