KUALA LUMPUR, MAY 24- N Darmindran’s case been classified as murder and an independent task force has been set up at Bukit Aman to probe the police detainee’s death.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Muhammad Salleh confirmed that the task force had been set up and that investigations on the case have begun.
“The task force has already begun their investigations and statements are being recorded from all the officers involved in the arrest and interrogation of the deceased.
“We can’t make any rash decisions, its too soon to say now,” he told a press conference here today.
“So far no arrests have been made nor have any of the officers been suspended. We are leaving the investigations to the task force,” he added.
Darmindran, 32, an Indah Water employee was arrested on May 11 shortly after lodging a police report that he was involved in a fight.
He was held at the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters and was sent to HKL, where he died, on the night of May 21 due to an alleged asthma attack
Mohammad assured the family and public that the police officers involved in the arrest and interrogation of Darmindran would not be allowed to partake in the investigation.
“We want to ensure the task force works independently to solve the case,” he said.
‘We feel sorry for the family’
The police chief also took the opportunity to convey his deepest condolences to the family of the deceased and vowed that the case would be handled diligently.
“We feel sorry for the family. I want the family and the public to know that we would do all it takes to find the culprit.
“There would be no ‘hanky panky’ and the case would be handled diligently by the task force, that much I can assure you,” he added.
Mohammad also requested the family and the public to keep calm and to cooperate with the police until the investigations are over.
“Please give us and the task force time to find out the root cause of this case, please co-operate with us. Holding rallies and assembling at the police stations would make it more difficult for us,” he said.
“We have already started taking statements and I assure the family and the people that justice would prevail,” he added.
A mock funeral organised by the family and friends of the deceased was held at the entrance of the KL police headquarters this afternoon. The hearse carrying the deceased was also present.
About 30 people gathered to show dissatisfaction over the treatment given to Dharmendran while he was in police custody and to seek justice over his death.
