GOMBAK: Malaysia’s new national police chief should sack or suspend Gombak district police Arifai Tarawe for his role in the controversial death of detainee A Ganapathy, said lawyer K Ganesh.
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He said the new inspector-general of police, Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, should set an example when he clocks in on Tuesday.
“The IGP’s first duty should be either to suspend or sack the OCPD,” Ganesh told FMT during a prayer session for Ganapathy tonight. “If the OCPD is removed, then every OCPD in Malaysia will protect the citizens being investigated under their watch.
“They will then make sure not another death in custody will take place under their watch because they know they will be held responsible.”
He added: “I think if one OCPD is sacked or suspended, these killings will stop.”
Ganesh said an anonymous donor has come forward with a reward of RM10,000 for any information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of those responsible, either directly or indirectly, for Ganapathy’s death.
Ganapathy, 40, a cow’s milk trader, had been detained by police since Feb 24 and died in hospital on April 18 after a month of treatment. His family alleged that he had been beaten while in custody and had suffered severe injuries to his legs, arms and shoulders.
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However, Arifai said last Friday that there was no evidence that the man was beaten while in police hands.
Arifai had previously said Ganapathy was remanded for 12 days from Feb 25 to March 8 to assist in investigations into a robbery at a factory and for causing injuries.
Ganesh said he was surprised Ganapathy was not asked to provide a statement during his 12 days in custody.
The lawyer also questioned why Arifai said an inquest would be conducted into the death despite also saying an investigation is ongoing.
“On one hand, he said that an investigation is ongoing, and then he says an inquest will be held. You can only do an inquest once your investigation reaches a dead end,” said Ganesh.
He said the police were either still investigating or they had reached a dead end. “To be honest, if he is a gentleman, he should resign,” said Ganesh.-FMT