The court-ordered medical examination for detained Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf) leader P Uthayakumar revealed that he has a fractured toe, said his lawyer N Surendran.

Surendran told Malaysiakini that the doctor who examined Uthayakumar informed him that his swollen left foot was due to a fracture in his small toe.

Moreover, Surendran added that the doctor also denied Uthayakumar any medication for the pain.

"He (Uthayakumar) also asked to be admitted because of a previous heart ailment, but the doctor dismissed the request saying that the beds in hospital were all occupied," complained Surendran.

p uthayakumar sedition trial 030209 01 The medical check-up came after Sessions court judge Sabariah Othman during Uthayakumar's sedition trial ordered the police to take the Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee for treatment after his lawyers put in an application for treatment.

The hearing which was supposed to have taken place from Feb 3 to Feb 5 was then halted after 30 minutes of submissions from the defence and postponed to April 28 to allow for the medical treatment.

Speaking to reporters before the commencement of the trial, Uthayakumar said he injured his foot when he walked on uneven ground on Saturday at the Kamunting detention centre in Perak.

Uthayakumar also alleged that he had asked for treatment at the camp but this was denied.

He, therefore, appealed through his lawyers to undergo a check up at a private hospital but justice Sabariah ordered the police to take him to a government hospital.

'Blindfolded and taunted'

According to Surendran, the doctor who treated Uthayakumar, had jotted down the medical notes in a "police book".

"She also refused to admit him although he (Uthayakumar) has a diabetic condition," said the lawyer, adding that Uthayakumar had insisted on seeing an orthopaedic specialist but thi was denied.

Meanwhile, Surendran also complained that the police had blindfolded Uthayakumar when taking him to the hospital and since there were stairs, his injured toe kept colliding with the stairs.

He also claimed that the police officer who had accompanied him kept taunting his client.