Judge Nantha Balan said that P Chandran’s death while in police custody is lamentable and regrettable as it could have been avoided. He determined that there was negligence on the failure of the policemen to send the deceased for treatment despite the order of a magistrate, and further negligence by the police inspector who was tasked with investigating Chandran’s death, as he did not do a thorough job. He said the conduct of both policemen was lackadaisical. Furthermore, he added the authorities did not take action against any policemen for Chandran’s death.

This death is lamentable and regrettable as it could have been avoided, says judge Nantha Balan after awarding RM357,000 in damages to the family of P Chandran, who died in police custody after being denied medical attention. Pic taken from FMT News.
KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today found the police liable for the death of a lorry driver in the Dang Wangi lock-up four years ago after his medical needs were not attended to.
Judge S Nantha Balan awarded a total of RM357,000 in damages to P Chandran’s widow, N Selvi, and daughter, C Rita, for negligence and abuse of public office. Another RM50,000 was awarded as costs.
The judge imposed a 5% interest on the award, to be calculated from the day the suit was filed until the judgment sum is settled.
“There was negligence on the failure of the policemen to send the deceased for treatment,” Nantha said.
From the amount, Nantha awarded RM200,000 in exemplary damages as the police had deprived Chandran of life and liberty.
“This death was lamentable and regrettable as it was avoidable,” the judge said.
Furthermore, he added the authorities did not take action against any policemen for Chandran’s death. The death was also reported to the Human Rights Commission.
Nantha said he found the conduct of the police appalling, despite a magistrate giving orders to the officer, Inspector Mahezel Md Noh, to attend to Chandran’s medical needs. Read more