Death of man in custody now a murder case after autopsy

ALOR SETAR: Kedah police have reclassified their investigations on a recent scuffle involving policemen and an individual in Langkawi, which resulted in his death.

State police chief Datuk Fisol Salleh said they opened an investigation paper under Sections 302 and 304 of the Penal Code.

Section 302 covers the offence of murder.

He said initially, the case was classified as sudden death after the man was pronounced dead by a hospital on Feb 1.

“In the incident on Jan 29, a team of policemen from the Narcotics Crime Investigation Division of the Langkawi district police headquarters (IPD) detained a 31-year-old man at a petrol station due to his suspicious behaviour.

“During the arrest, a scuffle broke out, resulting in the suspect sustaining injuries to the right temple, ear, hand, knee and left neck. One officer and three police personnel also suffered minor injuries,” he told a press conference at the Kedah police contingent headquarters here yesterday, Bernama reported.

He said police found a straw containing 0.21g of suspected heroin powder in the front pocket of the suspect’s trousers.

“The suspect was taken to the Langkawi IPD for further action and his urine test came back positive for morphine,” he said.

At 8pm on the same day, the suspect was detained and taken to the Kuah health clinic.

“However, while at the clinic, the suspect collapsed and lost consciousness and was referred to Hospital Sultanah Maliha, Langkawi, where he was admitted to the red zone.

“At about 12.40pm on Feb 1, the hospital informed us that the suspect had died,” he said.

Fisol said the result of the autopsy conducted at Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah here revealed that the deceased had died from blunt force trauma to the head.

“In light of this, an investigation has been initiated to determine the actual circumstances leading to the suspect’s death. I have also instructed officers from the state police contingent to take over the case to ensure a thorough investigation,” Fisol said.

He added that police have recorded statements from 13 witnesses, including the police officer and personnel involved.

Police have also contacted the victim’s family members and are awaiting a full report from the hospital, he said.

Recently, a video went viral on social media showing a man being detained by a group of policemen at a petrol station and his subsequent treatment at the hospital.

On Monday, the deceased’s family members demanded justice for his death and urged the police to provide an explanation regarding the incident.