The Petaling Jaya Sessions Court was today told that A Kugan's death in the police lock up in January last year was caused by "Pulmonary Oedema" or swelling of the lungs due to reaction from external injuries.

Senior consultant forensic pathologist at the Serdang Hospital, Abdul Karim Tajuddin, 61, said he came to this conclusion following an examination on Kugan's lung tissues which showed the lungs were filled with water.

"When conducting the post-mortem, I found Kugan's right and left lungs were swollen and filled with water which was caused by reaction to external injuries.

"It is called oedema of the lungs where water which fills the lungs comes from his own body due to its reaction on being beaten," he added.

Abdul Karim said from the post-mortem, he also found that most of the injuries and bruises on Kugan's body, especially his back, were inflicted by blunt objects, like a rubber hose.

He said there were about 22 injuries on Kugan's body, including bruises on the shin, thigh, chest, stomach wall and right shoulder, as well as scratch marks on the left shoulder, arm and neck.

Life threatening injuries

Questioned by deputy public prosecutor Mohamad Abazafree Mohd Abas whether the injuries were life-threatening, Abdul Karim said they could affect the internal organs, like lungs, kidney and the heart.

Abdul Karim, who is the eighth prosecution witness, also demonstrated in court how the injuries on Kugan could have been inflicted.

He was testifying in the case of Kugan's death while in police custody, several days after his arrest on Jan 15, last year.

The accused in the case, Constable V Navindran, 28, pleaded not guilty last Oct 1 to two counts of causing grievous hurt to Kugan, 23.

 

Navindran, represented by Datuk P.M. Nagarajan, is accused of having committed the offence at the interrogation room of office D9, at the Taipan Police Station, USJ, Subang Jaya at 7am, on Jan 16 last year.

For the offence, Navindran is being charged under Section 331 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of up to 10 years and could also be fined upon conviction.

Hand-cuffed while beaten

On the two alternative charges, Navindran also pleaded not guilty to intentionally causing hurt to Kugan at 7am and 4pm at the same place and date.

He is being charged under Section 330 of the Penal Code which carries a jail term of seven years and could also be fined upon conviction.

To a question by judge Aslam Zainuddin whether 'Pulmonary Oedema' was similar to pneumonia, Abdul Karim said it was different because pneumonia was caused by infection.

 

"In this case, no germs were found. Only water," he added.

Abdul Karim also said that based on the pictures market as exhibits in the case, there were many injuries on Kugan's body, including on the right and left wrists, which could be caused by hand-cuffs.

"I believe he was in hand-cuffs when beaten. They (injuries in the wrists) could also have been due to the victim struggling while beaten.

"Had he not been handcuffed, there would not have been any bruises or injuries," he added.

Hearing continues on March 18.

- Bernama