The magistrate's court has fixed three days beginning March 16, for the hearing of an inquest into the mysterious death of former actress K Sujatha.

Coroner Mohd Fauzi Che Abu fixed the date after an application from DPP Geethan Ram Vincent, who is assisting in the inquest, for the hearing dates.

k sujatha indian tamil actress Geethan told the court that there will be seven or eight witnesses testifying in the inquest.

It is learnt that among the witnesses are MIC president S Samy Vellu's son and Maika Holdings chief executive officer Vell Paari.

Also on the list is Kapar MP S Manickavasagam

At the same time, the court was informed that three lawyers would hold a watching brief throughout the trial namely K Kumaraendran for Sujatha's family, S Selvam for former Sentul police district chief ACP K Kumaran and S Sathuraban for Dr SP Sakhtivelloo.

Kumaraendran applied on behalf of the three lawyers that they may ask several questions during the proceedings.

Geethan however reminded them that as watching brief counsel they would not be entitled to cross-examine the witnesses.

Vel Paari's former secretary

Kumaraendran said he would make the application to ask the questions through the court.

Mohd Fauzi said he would consider it if there was an application.

Sujatha, 29, had died under mysterious circumstances on June 25 two years ago at the Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang.

vell paari vellpaari She had worked as a secretary to Vel Paari in his capacity as CEO of MIC's investment arm Maika Holdings.

Manickavasagam has claimed that he has proof of foul play being involved and has linked Vel Paari to the case. He has also lodged a series of police reports on this.

Vel Paari ( right ), who has denied any involvement , was also grilled by the police for five hours in connection with the case.

Manickavasagam has also accused former Sentul police chief Kumaran of "covering up" the matter due to his "strong ties" with Vel Paari and other MIC leaders. Kumaran has also filed a defamation suit against Manickavasagam.

manikavasagam lodge report sujatha kumaran kapar 211108 He lodged a police report on Aug 8, 2007, on behalf of Sujatha's family appealing to Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan to form a taskforce to investigate the case.

Manickavasagam, who was also present at today's proceedings, questioned why it took so long for the government to call for an inquest.

"It is nearly two years and by the time the inquest is over it would be another two to three years," he said.

"I hope the inquest could get to the bottom of things," he said.