The outlawed Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) is accusing the police and the Attorney-General of deliberately delaying investigations into the alleged murder of A Kugan, who died while in police custody.

"Why do the police and A-G's office need three days before even classifying (the case) as murder or arresting the policemen responsible?

p waythamoorthy "Why were those who committed this heinous act still not arrested until today?" asked Hindraf chairperson-in-exile P Waytha Moorthy, who was formerly a practicing lawyer in Seremban.

Waytha Moorthy also claimed that the police and the AG's office had attempted to play down the issue due to public outcry.

"Hindraf questions the integrity, accountability and transparency of the police force and the AG's office in issuing statements just to create an atmosphere to subdue public outcry," he said.

Selangor police chief Khalid Abu Bakar caused a stir when he claimed that Kugan, 22, died due to 'fluids in the lungs' and claimed that there was no foul play.

He courted more controversy yesterday when he urged the family to seek a court order for a second post-mortem to be performed.

Probe doctor too

Meanwhile, DAP chairperson Karpal Singh has urged the authorities to charge the doctor who conducted the first post-mortem on Kugan for issuing a false report.

karpal singh 231208 Karpal, a prominent lawyer, said that the doctor could be charged under Section 197 for knowingly issuing a false post-mortem report claiming that the cause of death was due to 'fluids in the lungs'.

"Had it not been for the family and friends entering the Serdang Hospital mortuary and taking pictures, the bruise on Kugan's body would not have come to light.

"The bruises on Kugan's body must have been there when the initial post-mortem was carried out. How is it that the post-mortem report indicated that Kugan died of pulmonary ederma or fluid accumulation on the lungs?

"This amounts to a cover-up," said the Bukit Gelugor MP in a statement.

MCA central committee member Wong Nai Chee, in a statement, welcomed the announcement that the authorities have classified Kugan's death as murder.

Wong, a practicing lawyer, said that Kugan's death also supports the formation of the much delayed Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC).

"In view of public disappointment on the police's handling of this issue, it is only relevant that the IPCMC be immediately established to prevent power abuses, instill accountability and to create a police force that is respected," he said.