Human rights group Suaram has lamented the recurring deaths in custody cases.

Its executive director D Sevan in a statement called for the suspension from duty of the investigation officer (IO) involved in the case of detainee S Balamurugan, who was found dead in the North Klang police headquarters on Wednesday, just three days into his detention.

"Yet another death in custody has occurred. The family of S Balamurugan had complained that the victim had experienced bleeding and had vomited blood when he was taken to court on Tuesday, but yet, he was taken back into custody before being taken to seek medical treatment.

"There were also bruises and wounds on the dead body when he was identified by family members," said Sevan.

He then urged the authorities to take the case seriously and suspend the IO who probed the case, and for the case to be heard in the Coroner's Court.

"As it has been stressed before, the health and welfare of a detainee is the full responsibility of the police. Therefore, the victim should have been accorded medical attention when he is ill or sustains an injury, and if there is death, the IO should be held accountable.

"These (custodial deaths) keep happening because there is no single body which has the power to investigate and has the power to prosecute enforcement bodies. This is why the authorities are still 'immune' from legal repercussions stemming from their duty," said Sevan.

He also demanded an inquest into the death of Balamurugan and reiterated the call for the establishment of an independent body which has the power to bring the authorities to book, should such cases recur.

Balamurugan, 44, was arrested on Monday after he was found in the same car with two other men, one of whom was wanted by the police for a robbery.

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has said that it would probe Balamurugan's death.