Crime & Courts

Deaths of Balamurugan, Soh: SOP not followed, says EAIC

PUTRAJAYA: Investigations by the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) on the deaths of S. Balamurugan in Klang Utara and Soh Kai Chiok in Bera while in police custody have revealed a serious breach of the police’s standard operating procedures (SOP).

EAIC chairman Datuk A. Aziz A. Rahim said the public hearing involving 46 witnesses in Balamurugan's death found several serious non-compliance with the SOP, including the failure of the police to release the man after a remand application was rejected by the magistrate's court.

"The police have also failed to comply with the magistrate's instructions to send the man immediately to the hospital," he told a press conference here today.

Balamurugan, 44, was found dead at the Klang Utara police headquarters (IPD) in Selangor on Feb 8, 2017, and Soh, 49, at the Bera IPD in Pahang on Jan 18, 2017.

In Balamurugan's case, Aziz said the police had committed a serious misconduct by re-arresting him without legal justification.

He said the police also detained and did not release Balamurugan without any report that could link him to any case and there was also no new arrest report against the deceased.

He added the EAIC also found that violent acts were committed by police officers and staff that could be associated with, or caused the death of the deceased.

"Therefore, EAIC recommends the Attorney-General's Chambers to consider criminal charges against the policemen who were identified to have used force against the deceased," he said, adding that the policemen had been charged in court.

He said the EAIC also found the special space for the accused at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Klang Utara IPD used as a lock-up violated the Lock-Up Rules 1953, Prison Act 1995 and Inspector-General of Police’s Standing Order.

In Soh's case, Aziz said 58 witnesses were called and the EAIC found no act of the police that could link or cause the death of the man while under detention.

However, Aziz said there were breaches of SOP and existing laws by the police, namely they failed to bring Soh for treatment after the deceased complained of pain.

The police also failed to ensure the deceased received proper medication during his detention at the Triang police station lock-up, he added.

He said the EAIC viewed the weaknesses and breaches of the SOP as a serious matter.--BERNAMA

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