The family members of M Krishnan, who was found dead in the lock-up at the Bukit Jalil police station on Jan 7, have urged the attorney-general to agree to a second post-mortem and the speedy release of his body.

NONEKrishnan’s widow, P Revathi, 37 (right), said she believes Krishnan’s death was caused by police brutality while in custody and not caused by stomach ulcers.

“I hope… I want a second post-mortem to be done soon. I don’t understand why when the police now say it’s fine to do a second post-mortem, the AG says no,” she said after handing over a memorandum to the National Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) in Kuala Lumpur today seeking the panel’s assistance to request the attorney-general to agree to their request.

She was accompanied by Kapar MP S Manikavasagam and PKR vice-president N Surendran.

The memorandum was received by commissioner Muhammad Sha’ani Abdullah.

Revathi further said it was important for her to find peace on the actual cause of her husband’s death, and so that Krishnan will have a proper Hindu burial ceremony soon.

Surendran, who is also the lawyer for Krishnan’s family, said the memorandum also urged Suhakam to make the Independent Police Complaints and Misconduct Commission (IPCMC) a priority as there have been excessive reports of police brutality and abuse lately.

Another witness comes forward

He said a second witness had come forward today claiming he witnessed Krishnan being beaten by police while in custody.

NONESurendren will accompany the witness to the Dang Wangi district police station next Monday to lodge a report.

On Tuesday, A Sargunan, who allegedly saw Krishnan being beaten to death in the police lock-up, had lodged a police report.

“We will also hold a protest at Bukit Aman next Monday to urge that a second post-mortem be carried out,” Surendran said.

Krishnan, 37, a wireman, was arrested in Taman Miharja, Cheras on Jan 3 and remanded for four days under suspicion of drug possession.

On Jan 7, Krishnan, a father of six children aged between eight and 17, was found dead in the lock-up at the Bukit Jalil police station.

According to police, the initial post-mortem results showed the death was caused by stomach ulcers, but Krishnan’s family has disputed this, claiming he had bruises all over his back, a wound caused by an open cut on his right abdomen, and a bruise on his right eye.