For P Ramakrishnan, the sight of his son, Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWatch) chairperson R Sri Sanjeevan, "caged like an animal" at the police remand centre in Kuala Lumpur, was too much to bear.

The 65-year-old broke down in tears as he recalled his visit to the centre yesterday, where Sanjeevan is being remanded under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca).

“(He was treated) just like an animal; he was in the kandang (cage), we were outside. How embarrassing it was.

“My son is not an animal, my son is a human being!” said Ramakrishnan, his voice raised with emotion as he wiped away his tears.

Ramakrishnan was speaking to reporters outside the gates of the Home Ministry in Putrajaya, after a memorandum was submitted to ministry officials.

The memorandum was to denounce the alleged torture inflicted on Sanjeevan while he was in remand.

Sanjeevan had said he was handcuffed, blindfolded and beaten. A pipe hose was allegedly used to rain blows on his hands and feet.

The alleged torture was said to have taken place in the police remand centre in Kuala Lumpur, where Sanjeevan is being held under Section 4(1)(a) of Poca until the end of the month.

Sanjeevan’s wife, Dr K Kastoori, was in disbelief that even a "datuk" title apparently could not protect Sanjeevan from abuse.

She confirmed seeing several marks on her husband’s hands and feet.

“He's a datuk (and) very professional. As far as I know, very cooperative. So what's the purpose to torture him?

“He's a datuk and they can still beat him, what about others, then?" she asked.

Kastoori added she was "confused" as to whether her husband was remanded for 21 days to facilitate investigations, or to undergo torture.

She said she was even more fearful for his fate now, since they had lodged a police report over the alleged torture.

"I hope the police or the inspector-general of police will take action on the report lodged," she said.

Earlier, Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy questioned why the memorandum could only be presented at the gates of the Home Ministry.

“We were chased out from the building. An official said any complaints or memorandum must only be made at the gates.

“What is this? It’s like when you have guests but you only entertain them at the gates,” he said.

Ten minutes later, two officials from the ministry received the memorandum from Sevan after the latter read out its contents.

The memorandum urged Home Miniser Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and the police to release Sanjeevan from Poca on the grounds that the Act violates human rights.

“We also demand that police stop torturing detainees and investigate the claims made by Sanjeevan,” said Sevan, reading out the memorandum.

Sanjeevan was arrested in Nilai on June 22 on allegations of extortion, and has since been released and rearrested multiple times on more allegations of extortion and criminal intimidation.

He was arrested for the ninth time on July 10, this time under Poca, and was subsequently remanded.