The High Court today dismissed a review application filed by the mother of police detainee G Francis Udayappan, Sara Lily George, ruling that there was no foul play involved in his death.

Judge Lim Yee Lan said the court agreed with the coroner's decision at an inquest that there was no evidence of police wrongdoing.

"There is no mistake in the coroner's court finding in ruling out any foul play," she said in her decision which was read out by deputy registrar Tasnim Abu Bakar today.

"Hence, there is no need for a review in the coroner's finding and the application is dismissed."

francis udayappan sara lily case 130407 talking Sara Lily filed a review on June 20, 2006, over the coroner's findings that there was no foul play in Francis’ death.

Francis, who was 24 when he died, was detained on April 16, 2004 to assist in police investigations into a handphone theft case.

Francis escaped from police custody and jumped into the Klang river behind the Brickfields police headquarters. His decomposed body was discovered on May 23. Although Sara Lily identified her son’s remains, she claimed he was brutally assaulted by police prior to his death.

She had urged the High court to review coroner Nazran Mohd Sham’s verdict on April 7, 2006 that there was no foul play involved in Francis’ death.

Mother to appeal

Her lawyer, N Surendran, today said Sara Lily was devastated with the court's decision and she still believes there were elements of foul play involving the police as her son was in their custody.

"She still feels the pain," he said.

Sara Lily when met today said although she was not happy with the decision, she was not giving up the fight to clear her son's name.

"I will file an appeal at the Court of Appeal and hope justice would be done to clear his name.

"How can my son die and allegedly escape while in police custody? I will not rest until I get justice," she said.

Sara Lily on April 13 also filed a RM29 million suit against the government and 11 others for negligence resulting in her son's death. The suit is still pending.