While watching a tennis match in Bagan Serai, Perak, teenager G (name withheld to protect identity) went around the back of nearby building in search of privacy to relieve himself. He ran smack into trouble.

The 16-year-old, described as having the mental capacity of someone half his age, now stands accused of raping a three-year-old girl who was in the vicinity of the building.

Reconstructing the events of April 28 as told by G and his elder sister - who was present when the incident took place - the family's lawyer Edmund Bon said someone suddenly shouted "rape, rape!"

A few of the tennis players immediately charged towards G, allegedly hit him on the head with their racquets and kicking him in the chest and abdomen.

The men were police officers and among them was the girl's father, an inspector, Bon said in a statement released on June 7.

G was handcuffed and taken to the Bagan Serai police station, but his ordeal was far from over. He was allegedly blindfolded and beaten on the toes and sole of his feet.

Two or three police officers were also said to have slapped and hit the boy, who was then forced to put his thumb print on a statement on the incident.

G told them that he did not understand the statement but this was allegedly met with more slaps to his face and hands.

They boy was then left alone in the lock-up for the night. He was said to have vomited blood up to four times during this period.

Not charged

Bon claimed that the family was denied access to G twice that evening and the following day as well.

"On April 29, G was taken to the Parit Buntar magistrate's court where the police applied for a three-day remand order. The magistrate refused, as there was no evidence to substantiate a case against him," he said when contacted to elaborate on his statement.

G was released that day and was then taken by his family for a medical checkup which revealed that he was suffering from pain and 'tenderness' in his head, lower abdomen and scrotum. He also had difficulty urinating.

Bon also said the family was told to take the boy back to the police station the same day to assist with investigations.

"During the discussion with the family, the investigating officer displayed a lack of professionalism and showed bias against G, given that the complainant's father is a fellow police officer," Bon claimed.

"The family was therefore unable to co-operate in the investigations as there was a lack of faith and trust in the officer. They informed the officer that they would be taking their complaint to Bukit Aman (the federal police headquarters)."

The family lodged a police report on the alleged abuse at the same police station. Bon claimed that the boy's family has been harassed by the police since the incident.

"(Among other things), the family has been told that if G is not charged for rape, he will be charged for molest," Bon said.

Contacted today, investigating officer Mohd Syamsul Irwan Hashim at the Bagan Serai police station said the case is under investigation and that more evidence is needed.

To date, he has recorded statement from two eye-witnesses, both of whom are fellow police officers.

"However, I have not been able to record a statement from the father of the girl as he has gone to Ipoh," said Mohd Syamsul Irwan.

"I am waiting for instructions as to whether the case will be referred to the Kuala Lumpur police headquarters as the complainants have indicated they will take the case there," he added.

Meeting with police

Following the alleged incident, a relative took the family to seek help from Dr Denison Jayasooria, the executive director of the MIC-linked Yayasan Strategik Social.

In a letter dated June 1 to the Bukit Aman disciplinary department, Jayasooria expressed dissatisfaction over the incident and called for an investigation. He also arranged legal assistance for the family.

A copy of his letter was made available to malaysiakini by Bon.

The family, now staying with a relative in Kuala Lumpur, is scheduled to state its case to the police disciplinary division over two days from tomorrow.

"They are afraid to return to their home in Bagan Serai," said a relative, who declined to be named.

Asked about the possibility of a legal suit, Bon said the next course of action will depend on the outcome of the meeting with the disciplinary division.

The lawyer also stressed that cases such as these make it urgent for the government to implement the Royal police commission's recommendations, especially the formation of an independent watchdog.

"This case is just the tip of the iceberg and a constant reminder that the recommendations of the report must be seriously considered and implemented immediately," he added.