Beatings by cops linked to Balamurugan’s death

PUTRAJAYA: Robbery suspect S. Balamurugan's death while under custody is linked to beatings inflicted by police officers, the Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) found.
 
The commission also found that the police had breached several standard operating procedures while Balamurugan was under their detention.
 
These were the findings revealed by EAIC chairman Datuk A. Aziz Rahim on a public inquiry held following Balamurugan’s death in February last year.
 
“We have recommended that the Attorney-General’s Chambers consider taking criminal action against the police officers who have been identified of inflicting hurt against the deceased.
 
“As we all know, one police officer has already been charged,” said Aziz here Thursday (Jan 18).
 
A police inspector from the Klang South police station was charged on Oct 30 last year for causing hurt to Balamurugan with the intent to forcefully extort a confession for an armed robbery case.

Post-mortem results have revealed that the cause of death to “coronary artery disease with multiple blunt force injuries”. 

“Following this, the commission found that there have been acts of violence committed by police officers that can be connected with, or have caused, the death of the deceased while under police custody,” Aziz said.