Chief Justice Mohamed Dzaiddin Abdullah was today urged to call for a public inquest into the deaths of three youths who died while under police detention in the last three months.

Families had claimed that the three youths S Tharma Rajen, 19, M Ragupathy and Vivashanu Pillai, both aged 24 had died under mysterious circumstances.

A total of 27 non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and political parties, accompanied by family members of the three youths, submitted a letter to Dzaiddin at the Kuala Lumpur Federal Court this morning calling for an inquest to determine the cause of their death.

High Court registrar Zabidin Mat Diah received the letter on Dzaiddin's behalf. He also promised to convey the other verbal requests made by the group to the CJ.

About 60 people gathered in front of the court building to show their support. Both uniformed and plainclothes police personnel were deployed there.

The NGOs and political parties included Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) Aliran, Amnesty International Malaysia, Keadilan, PRM, Jemaah Islah Malaysia (JIM), Parti Reformasi Insan Malaysia, Human Rights Society of Malaysia (Hakam) and SOS Selangor.

In the letter, the group said an inquest was necessary as the deaths were tainted by allegations of police brutality and misuse of power. The inquest will also ensure that justice was served.