Kapar MP S Manikavasagam, a key figure in highlighting the mysterious death of drama actress K Sujatha, finally took the stand today during the ongoing inquest over the actress' death.

Manikavasagam's appearance at the inquest however did not provide any evidence to his previous claim that Sujatha was murdered.

manikavasagam court sujatha case 240609 The morning session saw DPP Geethan Ram Vincent quizzing Manikavasagam about several police reports, an anonymous letter claiming that Sujatha was murdered and three VCDs.

According to Coroner Mohd Faizi Che Abu, the police reports and the anonymous letter were the only connection between Manikavasagam and the case.

Mohd Faizi also ruled that the VCDs were not relevant to the proceeding.

Shortly before releasing Manikavasagam as a witness at the end of the day, Mohd Faizi asked the parliamentarian to provide additional information that can assist the inquest.

Nothing new was revealed but Manikavasagam said adamantly: "I believe that Sujatha was murdered".

Criminal record

Sujatha died after apparently consuming paraquat in June 2007, but the matter gained prominence after Manikavasagam lodged a police report claiming foul play, based on the anonymous letter .

manikavasagam lodge report sujatha kumaran kapar 211108 Since then, Manikavasagam has been repeatedly fingering S Vell Paari - Sujatha's former employer and son on MIC president S Samy Vellu - of being involved in her death.

Following this, the police recorded statements from Vell Paari for several hours and he was also called in as a key witness in inquest where he was forced to reveal his lavish spending on Sujatha.

During cross-examination today, Vell Paari's lawyer K Kumaraendran repeatedly tried to discredit Manikavasagam, whipping the latter's lawyers N Surendran and M Manogaran into a frenzy of objections.

Upon Kumaraendran's questioning, Manikavasagam admitted that he was once jailed for a day under Section 420 of the Penal Code for cheating 25 years ago, at the age of 18.

Though Manogaran protested the line of questioning due to irrelevance, Kumaraendran pleaded to the coroner that the incident somehow caused the witness to have ill-feelings towards the MIC president Samy Vellu and his son Vell Paari.

Grilled by lawyer

Later, Kumaraendran also challenged Manikavasagam's claims that he had spoken to Sujatha's parents, in view of the duo having denied doing so earlier in the inquest.

murdered tamil actress sujatha samy vellu velpari 270707 Manikavasagam later told the court he had never met either of them.

Kamaraendran also established that Manikavasagam refused to have his statements recorded by the police investigating Sujatha's death.

Kumaraendran: The police tried numerous times to record your statements. Is this correct?

Manikavasagam: Not true.

Kumaraendran: But you did insist that your statements is recorded by the IGP (inspector-general of police). Correct?

Manikavasagam: Yes.

Kumaraendran: Why must you be given special treatment? Is it just because you are an MP?

Again, Surendran and Manogaran howled in protest, to which Kumaraendran explained to the court that he was trying to highlight Manikavasagam attempts to frustrate police investigations.

"He is prepared to assist this court but he refused to assist the police, so what kind of evidence can he possibly offer?" said the veteran criminal lawyer.

The inquest continues tomorrow with new witnesses.