Seberang Perai Tengah (SPT) police have denied assaulting S Naidu Agin Raj, who died at the Bukit Mertajam hospital on Saturday.

The 26-year-old lorry driver, who lived with his mother and two younger sisters in Kampung Mainroad, Prai, is the seventh case of custodial death related to Penang police lock-ups or prisons.

SPT deputy police chief Supp Baharom Abu said: "We didn't beat him up, there is no reason to beat him."

"We usually use force (to recover) when stolen material is not found. But in this case, we found them (when the detainee was arrested)," he said.

In a statement, Baharom said based on the post mortem conducted by Dr Bhupinder Singh yesterday, Agin Raj ( right ) had died due to "hypocix encephalopathy following epileptic fits" or lack of oxygen to the brain resulting in breathing difficulties.

On whether extra surveillance would be carried out in view of the increasing number of custodial deaths in Penang, Baharom said that lock-ups were equipped with CCTVs to monitor the detainees.

On bruises found on the deceased's body, Baharom said he believed the bruises were caused by a minor struggle when the suspect was detained by security guards at an iron steel factory in Prai.

He confirmed that a sudden death investigation paper has been opened and if necessary, an inquest would be held.

He also confirmed that Agin Raj did not have any previous convictions.

"We have a new coroner's court now and cases like this will be investigated, if there is any suspicion," he added.

Baharom was referring to complaints by Agin Raj's family that the deceased was in a delusional state when they visited him in the hospital before he died.

Sister: Why RM8,000 bail?

His sister, Regina Devi, 23, when met at the Seberang Jaya forensic department yesterday, said she noticed bruises around her brother's lips, wrists and legs.

She was extremely upset, bursting into tears, when she demanded to know why Agin Raj's accomplice was only imposed a bail of RM3,000, while her brother was slapped with a RM8,000 bail.

"My brother was in a terrible condition on the hospital bed, why was he imposed a bail of RM8,000?" she asked, adding that if she had raised the money, he would still be alive.

Baharom said Agin Raj was detained on June 2, at 8.15pm, for suspected theft at An Joo Steel factory in Prai, together with another suspect.

He stated that the duo were probed under Section 379 of the Penal Code by investigation officer Inspector Madora Mustafa.

Regina, who works as a customs officer, complained that Madora was reluctant to meet her or provide details of the case to the family.

Baharom said on June 3, the two suspects were remanded in the Bukit Mertajam Court and Magistrate Nur Zarifah Mohd Ali placed them under remand for four days until June 6.

He added that on June 4, 10pm, Agin Raj was admitted to the Bukit Mertajam hospital due to epilepsy.

The IO then contacted the hospital, and was informed that Agin Raj was at the time "stable".

According to Baharom, on June 6, Agin Raj’s accomplice was charged at the Bukit Mertajam Magistrate Court where he pleaded not guilty and fined RM3,000.

However, Agin Raj was charged in the hospital and bail was set at RM8,000.

"As bail was not paid by any family member, Agin Raj's remand was extended to June 9," Baharom said.

"On June 6, at about 7.05pm, the Bukit Mertajam Hospital informed Madora that Agin Raj cannot be discharged as his bran scan result had yet to arrive from the Seberang Jaya Hospital.

"The next day, the hospital informed Madora that Agin Raj had died, and Magistrate Nurzafirah Mohd Ali visited the hospital to see the deceased's condition," he added.

Deputy Chief Minister II P Ramasamy, who highlighted the case and accompanied Agin Raj's family at the forensic department, wanted the police to conduct an inquest into his death.

He also accused the police of "irresponsibility" for allowing another death in custody.