Police have classified the death of a mentally disturbed man who ran amok and damaged public property yesterday, as sudden death.

According to Kajang police chief ACP Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahap, during the 6.30pm incident, Sugumar Chelladuray, a security guard, had used an iron rod to damage public property in Taman Sri Nanding before heading to Taman Desa Raya and Taman Lagenda Suria.

Abdul Rashid said police had trailed him for about two kilometers before he fell on the road shoulder.

"Police and members of the public managed to apprehend the man who reacted aggressively," he told reporters here tonight adding that the man passed out inside the police car while being taken to the police station.

He added that police took the 39-year-old man to the Serdang Hospital but was pronounced dead.

"A post-mortem revealed that he had a blockage in his heart. There were no other injuries," said Abdul Rashid denying claims that the man died due to police action while detaining him.

According to eyewitnesses, four police officers allegedly chased, handcuffed and then smeared turmeric powder on Sugumar's face, before - together with a mob - beating him to death.

- Bernama