The magistrate’s court in George Town has set Aug 12 and 13 for the inquest on the case of Cheah Chin Lee who was found dead in the lock-up of the Tanjung Tokong Police Station on Aug 13 last year.

Coroner L Umma Devi fixed the date after receiving a medical certificate from lawyer M Vismanathan, who was admitted to hospital from July 6 to 16, which was the date for the proceedings originally. Vismanathan is holding a watching brief for the family of the deceased.

At the proceedings today, Umma Devi also apologised to deputy public prosecutor Mohd Faisal Md Noor as well as 15 witnesses, comprising policemen and members of the public who were present today, for having to postpone the proceedings due to an unavoidable circumstance.

“The court had also been prepared with all the equipment for the closed circuit camera (CCTV) coverage, but the proceedings had to be postponed and it is hoped that all the witnesses will be present on the dates set,” she said.

Cheah, who was remanded by police at midnight on Aug 13, 2012 to assist police investigation on a motorcycle theft case, was found dead from hanging five hours after his detention at the Tanjung Tokong Police Station lock-up.

Subsequently on Sept 12, 2012, family members of the deceased presented a memorandum to Suhakam commissioner Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah in Penang, and Suhakam had pledged to demand that the police release a recording of the CCTV.

On Sept 21, 2012, the lawyer for the family of the deceased had sent a letter to the court in Penang and the attorney-general urging an inquest to investigate Cheah’s death.

On Nov 1, 2012, the Attorney-General’s Chambers replied to the letter stating its agreement on the holding of the inquest.

- Bernama

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