Kapar MP S Manikavasagam has today retracted his allegations made against former Sentul OCPD K Kumaran, in relation to the sudden death of Indian Malaysian model K Sujatha.

Manikavasagam read out a four-paragraph statement at the Kuala Lumpur High Court today as part of the settlement.

k kumaran As part of the settlement to the defamation suit initiated by Kumaran ( left ), Manikavasagam is also required to publish the retraction in the Indian daily Makkal Ossai within a month.

In his retraction, Manikavasagam said he called a press conference on Aug 3, 2007 and he recognises and accepts the contents of the statement were defamatory to Kumaran.

“I hereby state that I now unequivocally and unreservedly retract all the allegations in the statement that refer to and implicate Kumaran.

“I regret any damage or harm caused to Kumaran’s reputation and integrity and state that no such harm or damage was ever intended,” he said.

Manikavasagam further vowed not to repeat, republish any further statements which imply or suggest any of the allegations stated.

Justice Asmabi Mohamad recorded the settlement and thanked both parties. She made no order as to costs.

Kumaran, who is now attached to Bukit Aman, was represented by lawyer Divakaran Vasudevan, while Bani Prakash appeared for Manikavasagam. Both Kumaran and Manikavasagam were in court.

He filed the suit in Aug 8, 2007 where he named Makkal Osai , its editor in chief M Rajintheram and its distributor Osai Distributors as defendants.

However, Kumaran’s suit against Makkal Osai has also been settled amicably several months back. 

‘Sujatha’s death was suicide’

According to Kumaran’s writ of summons, Manikavasagam’s press statement, which was carried by Makkal Osai , regarding Sujatha’s death, were “false and seditious statements which had tarnished his dignity and image”.

k sujatha Kumaran claimed that their actions of all four defendants had resulted in loss of public confidence on his ability to fulfil his role as the Sentul police chief.

The suit pertains to the mysterious circumstances of Sujatha’s ( left ) death, in which Manikavasagam claimed there had been a police cover-up.

Manikavasagam lodged a police report that initiated an inquest being held, where Sujatha’s family lawyers held a watching brief.

However, it was reported that coroner Mohd Faizi Che Abu had ruled that the actress knowingly consumed a lethal weed killer and that the court did not find any foul play.

“I am of the view that the victim had committed suicide,” ruled Mohd Faizi over her death at about 10.25am on June 25, 2007.