The widow of detainee A Gnanapragasam, who died in police custody two weeks ago, is demanding for an inquest into his death.

M Manamegala, who handed in a memorandum to Home Affairs Deputy Minister Jelaing Mersat, said her husband's sudden death while in custody raised questions as he was healthy when he was arrested.

gnanaprakasam anthony injury autopsy "My husband was arrested on June 10 but I was not informed of the arrest. I was only told of the arrest by his friend, that he was detained at Sri Damansara police lock-up.

"On June 12, I was given permission to meet him... I was shocked because his right eye was had swollen. He said he was beaten by the cops," she added.

She said two days later, on June 14, she was informed by the police that he husband was dead.

A post-mortem report revealed that Gnanapragasam had died due to blood poisoning caused by a bacteria infection in the intestines.

Opposition parliamentarians have claimed that the police was negligent in not giving proper medical attention to Gnanapragasam while in police custody.

Sivarasa wants immediate inquest

Manamegala, mother of seven, said Gnanapragasam was arrested for allegedly being involved in a robbery in Sungai Buloh.

She was accompanied by PKR's Subang MP R Sivarasa and Bukit Lanjan assemblyperson Elizabeth Wong in submitting the memorandum.

Sivarasa said that although the post-mortem had ruled out any foul play, Gnanapragasam was ill while he was in custody and he was not given proper medical attention.

"The police are in charge of those who are in their custody and neglecting proper care to someone who is sick is tantamount to criminal negligence," said Sivarasa.

He added that if there was a death in custody, the police were required to conduct an immediate inquest into the cause of the death.

Where is the sexual violence report?

On another matter, PKR's Ampang MP Zuraida Kamaruddin told reporters that she wants the report regarding the sexual violence on the Penan women and children to be presented in Parliament.

Zuraida, who is also the PKR women's wing chief, said that the Ministry for Women, Family and Community had already completed the report in November on the issue.

The ministry's task force was put to action after the issue was brought up in Parliament during the last session in March.

Although the full report was made available two days ago at the ministry and interested parties can access it, Zuraidah insisted that this was not enough and a discussion in Parliament was necessary.

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