KUALA LUMPUR – The lawyer for A. Ganapathy’s family is calling on the Gombak police to release closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from inside the station to confirm his condition during detention days before his death.
Datuk Ganesh Kanagaretnam told a press conference today that he has received information that there is a functioning CCTV in the cell and area leading into it.
“I invite the Gombak OCPD to invite me and the press to view where Ganapathy spent his last days and (see) what condition he was in during those days.
“What is wrong with seeing a detainee in a lock-up? It is not against the law. They can easily show us the CCTV footage to refute that he was in any pain or had an injury.
“Since I do not have the power to force access to the jail where Ganapathy was held, I can only request assistance from the police to give me access to view the cell.”
The lawyer said he also had evidence that, a month before Ganapathy’s arrest by Gombak police on February 24, the latter had been remanded at the Shah Alam district police headquarters, where he was assaulted and lost a tooth.
“I am asking the police to clarify or refute this information that we find to be credible.
“If he was indeed arrested, we would like to access the CCTV footage from IPD Shah Alam to see his condition on his day of arrest and the day he left the cell.
“Our informant also says that Ganapathy was cleared of any wrongdoing and released, with injury to his person.
“We would like the police to give us a reply to either agree or refute this.”
With regard to Ganapathy’s multiple trips to the hospital, sources said that he was not allowed to see a doctor and was just given simple dressing for his injuries.
“We were informed that on the first trip to the hospital, his injuries were bad, and I believe no doctor would have discharged him with the serious condition his leg was in; his life could have been saved.
“I have written to Selayang Hospital for the medical report and the names of the doctors who treated Ganapathy, but I have not got a response.
“We also know from witness testimonies that corroborates what Ganapathy told his mother on his dying bed – that he was assaulted and dragged on the tar road – when he was arrested with a person named Sreedharan.
“If this is the case, the entire arresting party can be charged with assault and battery by virtue of common intention,” said Kanagaretnam.
He also said that the police were aware that Ganapathy was diabetic, yet, did not give him food that would regulate his condition.
“We were informed that he showed symptoms of hyperglycemia when his health was deteriorating, leading to the amputation of his leg and, eventually, his death.
“The witnesses who have come forward willingly will only testify when this matter goes to court, when they will be given protection against police interference.”
Kanagaretnam said the family only wanted to ensure that there are no more deaths in custody after Ganapathy.
However, since Ganapathy’s demise, two more deaths have occured in police custody.
“We don’t want another press statement from the department; we want them to be transparent and release the footage to clear them of wrongdoing in Ganapathy’s death.” – The Vibes, May 31, 2021
