Family and friends of R Magesvaran, who was found hanged in a toilet at the Petaling Jaya district police headquarters last night, said they do not believe the 29-year-old security guard committed suicide.

Met at the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) mortuary this morning, the deceased's uncle Vasu Subramaniam ( photo ) said his nephew's hands were in an awkward position.

"His hands were raised to the chest level with his palms outwards. I don't believe it was suicide. If someone hangs himself, wouldn't his hands be by the side of his body?" he asked.

According to news reports, Magesvaran's body was found by a canteen employee at about 10.30pm hanging from the ceiling by a water hose. Police personnel then tried in vain to resuscitate him.

The deceased, who hails from Petaling Jaya, had apparently gone to the police headquarters to lodge a report some six hours earlier but never got around to doing it.

Problems at work

According to a friend of the deceased, Jeeva Ramachandran, the former had mentioned about having problems at his workplace in Putrajaya when the duo met on Wednesday.

"We met up for a drink and he seemed fine but he did say he had a problem at work, where he started some six months ago, but did not elaborate," he said.

"It was shocking to learn of his death. When the police showed me where the body was found I could not believe that he hanged himself. The ceiling was too low for that," he added.

Jeeva, who has known the deceased for five years, said the position of his hands indicated that he could have probably struggled with someone.

While a cousin, who declined to be named, questioned why anyone would want to commit suicide in a police station.

No foul play

Contacted later, PJ Utara district deputy police chief Osman Bakar said there was no elements of foul play in the incident.

He said the deceased was seen at the inquiry office but he did not file a report.

"We can't keep track of everyone who comes in and out of the police station. We believe he committed suicide and assert that there was no foul-play," he said.

"It is up to the coroner's report now to determine the progress of the investigation," he added.